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Abdominal Sounds
Alternate Names : Bowel Sounds
Abdominal Sounds: Common Causes
Most of the sounds that you hear your stomach and intestines make are due to normal digestion and are no need for concern. However, if other troubling symptoms occur, a doctor can use a stethoscope to listen to abdominal sounds and determine if there is a problem. Many conditions may cause hyper or hypoactive bowel sounds. Most are benign in nature and require no treatment. However, the following are a list of more serious conditions that can present with abnormal bowel sounds.
Hyperactive, hypoactive, or absent bowel sounds:
- mechanical bowel obstruction (caused by hernia, tumor, adhesions, or similar conditions that can physically block the intestines)
- blood vessel obstruction and its resulting tissue damage (for example, blood clots can cause mesenteric artery occlusion, which prevents the intestines from obtaining a proper blood flow)
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paralytic ileus, a problem with the nerves to the intestines (reduced nerve activity can result from infection, overdistended bowel, trauma, bowel obstruction, vascular obstruction, and chemical imbalances such as hypokalemia).
Hypoactive bowel sounds (other causes): - drugs that reduce intestinal movements, including opiates (such as codeine), anticholinergics, phenothiazines, and others
- general anesthesia and spinal anesthesia
- irradiation of the abdomen (radiation therapy for cancer)
- surgery in the abdomen (may cause reduced bowel sounds for 1 to 5 days)
Hyperactive bowel sounds (other causes):
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- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
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• Definition
• Abdominal Sounds: Overview & Considerations
• Abdominal Sounds: Common Causes
• Call your Health Care Provider if
• What to Expect at your Health Care Provider's Office
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Adhesion
• Blood Clots
• Cancer
• Crohn's Disease
• Enteritis
• Food Allergy
• Hypokalemia
• Intestinal Obstruction
• Mesenteric Artery Ischemia
• Tumor
• Ulcerative Colitis
Tests & Exams
• Abdominal Film
• Blood Pressure
• Pulse
Other Topics
• Abdomen - Swollen
• Abdominal Pain
• Auscultation
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Gas/Flatus - Excessive
• Gastrointestinal Bleeding
• Groin Lump
• Hyperactivity
• Intravenous
• Necrosis
• Physical Examination
• Radiation Therapy
• Respiratory
• Stress and Anxiety
Review Date : 2/26/2002
Reviewed By : Poune Saberi, M.D., M.P.H., Department of Family Practice and Community Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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