CIP Causes

CIP can be secondary to a known underlying disease process or disorder including:

Cystic Fibrosis

Diabetes

Dysautonomia

Mitochodrial diseases- affects at least three major organs and can explain why a person may have a number of seemingly unrelated problems

Autoimmune Disorders (Scleroderma, Lupus)

It can also be idiopathic (without a known cause). 

CIP may be apparent from infancy or may surface later in life. Sometimes it follows an acute illness or surgery. Children with CIP are generally born with the condition.

Acute (temporary) pseudo-obstruction can be a result of certain medications, recent surgery, or prolonged bedrest and may be diagnosed as “acute colonic ileus.”

Regardless of the underlying cause CIP can be categorized as neurogenic (from the nerves) or myogenic (from the muscles). 

While outward signs and symptoms may be very similar, neurogenic CIP is characterized by unsynchronized intestinal contractions whilst myogenic CIP is characterized by weak or absent contractions.