Mechanical intestinal obstruction and paralytic intestinal obstruction are both types of intestinal obstruction, and the difference between these two diseases lies in the different definitions, symptoms, and treatments. 1. Different definitions: Mechanical intestinal obstruction is an obstruction caused by various reasons, such as the intestinal lumen becoming smaller and the passage of intestinal contents being blocked. Paralytic intestinal obstruction belongs to one kind of functional intestinal obstruction, which refers to the obstruction caused by nerve inhibition or toxin stimulation resulting in intestinal wall muscle movement dysfunction, weakening or loss of peristalsis, and obstruction of intestinal contents passage. 2. Different etiology: the etiology of mechanical intestinal obstruction includes intestinal wall diseases, diseases outside the intestinal lumen and diseases inside the intestinal lumen. Such as inflammation, tumor, congenital intestinal atresia, intestinal adhesions, small bowel torsion and so on. Paralytic intestinal obstruction is usually associated with surgery, trauma, infection, metabolic disorders, drug effects and other factors. 3. Different treatments: patients with mild mechanical intestinal obstruction can be treated conservatively. For patients with ineffective conservative treatment, or intestinal strangulation, necrosis, and peritonitis, surgical treatment is needed, such as intestinal resection, adhesion release, and so on. Paralytic intestinal obstruction is mainly treated with non-surgical treatment, including fasting, gastrointestinal decompression, medication, etc. For patients with acute attack, ineffective medication, and extreme dilatation of the intestinal tube, exploratory surgery and surgical decompression surgery can be performed. It is recommended that patients with intestinal obstruction seek timely medical attention and receive treatment as prescribed by the doctor to avoid delaying the condition.