ileus
noun
il·e·us ˈi-lē-əs 
: obstruction of the bowel
especially : functional obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract and especially the small intestine that is marked by the absence of peristalsis, is usually accompanied by abdominal pain, bloating, and sometimes nausea and vomiting, and typically occurs following abdominal surgery
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Over the next 30 hours, the report said, the man developed encephalopathy, brain damage, and paralytic ileus, or paralysis of the intestine. 
Joshua Bote, USA TODAY, 25 Nov. 2019 Other problems included a painful intestinal obstruction called an ileus; an abnormally slow heart rate (bradycardia); nausea and vomiting; confusion and delirium; and skin problems like severe itching or a rash. Karen Kaplan, latimes.com, 23 May 2018 When Strube-Bohaty was an infant, she was diagnosed with meconium ileus, a bowel obstruction that occurs when a child’s intestines become stickier than normal. Jason Duaine Hahn, PEOPLE.com, 1 May 2018 Normally, postoperative ileus goes away on its own in about three or four days after an operation, but people can be uncomfortable while the condition lasts, the meta-analysis said. Sara G. Miller Staff Writer, Fox News, 2 June 2017 Claire was born with meconium ileus, a bowel obstruction that is a telltale sign of CF. Jessica Ravitz, CNN, 5 July 2017
Joshua Bote, USA TODAY, 25 Nov. 2019 Other problems included a painful intestinal obstruction called an ileus; an abnormally slow heart rate (bradycardia); nausea and vomiting; confusion and delirium; and skin problems like severe itching or a rash. Karen Kaplan, latimes.com, 23 May 2018 When Strube-Bohaty was an infant, she was diagnosed with meconium ileus, a bowel obstruction that occurs when a child’s intestines become stickier than normal. Jason Duaine Hahn, PEOPLE.com, 1 May 2018 Normally, postoperative ileus goes away on its own in about three or four days after an operation, but people can be uncomfortable while the condition lasts, the meta-analysis said. Sara G. Miller Staff Writer, Fox News, 2 June 2017 Claire was born with meconium ileus, a bowel obstruction that is a telltale sign of CF. Jessica Ravitz, CNN, 5 July 2017 Word History
Etymology
borrowed from Latin īleus, īleos, borrowed from Greek eileós, also attested in sense "den of an animal, especially a snake," probably derivative of eiléō, eileîn "wind, turn round, roll up" — more at welter entry 1
First Known Use
1693, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
ileus
noun
il·e·us ˈil-ē-əs
: obstruction of the bowel
specifically : functional obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract and especially the small intestine that is marked by the absence of peristalsis, is usually accompanied by abdominal pain, bloating, and sometimes nausea and vomiting, and typically occurs following abdominal surgery
called also paralytic ileus
compare volvulus