Short Bowel Syndrome
Short bowel syndrome (SBS)is a condition in which your body is unable to absorb enough nutrients from the foods you eat because you don’t have enough small intestine. The small intestine is where the majority of the nutrients you eat are absorbed into your body during digestion.
Symptoms –
Common signs and symptoms of short bowel syndrome may include:
• Diarrhea and frequent bowel movements
• Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances
• Malnutrition and weight loss
• Abdominal pain and bloating
• Fatigue and weakness
Causes –
• Surgical resection of a significant portion of the small intestine (often due to Crohn’s disease, tumors, or trauma)
• Congenital malformations or diseases affecting the small intestine
• Volvulus (twisting of the intestine)
• Ischemia (blood supply loss to the intestine)
Types –
• Type 1 SBS: Loss of a significant portion of the small intestine.
• Type 2 SBS: Intact small intestine, but impaired function (due to conditions like motility disorders).
• Type 3 SBS: Combination of type 1 and type 2.
Risk Factors –
• Surgical removal of a portion of the small intestine
• Crohn’s disease or other inflammatory bowel diseases
• Intestinal ischemia
• Radiation therapy to the abdomen
• Congenital intestinal disorders
Diagnosis –
• Blood tests to check for malnutrition and electrolyte imbalances
• Imaging tests (CT scan, MRI, small bowel follow-through) to assess intestine length and function
• Stool tests to evaluate malabsorption
• Hydrogen breath test to diagnose bacterial overgrowth
Complications –
• Malnutrition-related complications
• Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances
• Liver problems (due to lack of bile acids)
• Bone health issues (calcium and vitamin D deficiency)
• Bacterial overgrowth in the remaining intestine
Treatment –
• Nutritional support: Intravenous (IV) fluids and total parenteral nutrition (TPN)
• Enteral nutrition: Tube feeding directly into the stomach or small intestine
• Medications: To manage symptoms like diarrhea and bacterial overgrowth
• Surgical interventions: Bowel lengthening procedures or transplantation (in severe cases)
• Dietary modifications: High-calorie, low-fat, and nutrient-dense foods
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