Say: ill-EE-us
Your intestines have an important job. They break down food and help your body get the nutrition and water it needs.
An ileus is when the intestines stop working and don't move food, fluid, and gas the way they are supposed to. It can happen as a side effect of surgery or be caused by illness or an injury.
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
© 1995-2026 KidsHealth ® All rights reserved. Images provided by iStock, Getty Images, Corbis, Veer, Science Photo Library, Science Source Images, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com
A day for our generous community to join together to ensure that even the tiniest hearts get the strongest possible start.
