text: what causes a twisted gut in humans? is it life threatening?   obstructed intestines or intestinal obstruction caused by a few things. typically occurs in older adults (their intestines lose elasticity etc) also if you had previous surgery(s) then you develop whats called adhesions, scar tissue that sticks to your intestines and can cause stenosis (blockage) because the scar chokes your intestine. also hernias can damage your small bowel. so, usually adhesions, older people (like 80). and there is another condition that causes a "telespcoping effect," something some baby's are born with. finally, sometimes it is idiopathic (means "who knows why it happens, just does").  mike rn