by What is Short Bowel Syndrome?
Short gut syndrome (SBS) occurs when a significant portion of the small intestine is surgically removed or does not work properly. The small intestine, also called the small bowel, is where most of the digestion and absorption of food takes place. When a large part of the small intestine is removed or non-functioning, the body is unable to absorb enough nutrients, liquids, vitamins and minerals from food to maintain good health.
Causes of Short Bowel Syndrome
There are several medical conditions and situations that can lead to Short gut syndrome:
Crohn’s disease: This inflammatory bowel disease commonly requires surgical removal of diseased sections of the small intestine. Crohn’s disease is one of the leading causes of SBS.
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants: NEC is a disease that causes inflammation and tissue death in the intestine of premature infants. It often requires surgery to remove parts of the small bowel and is a major cause of Short Bowel Syndrome in children.
Small intestine ischemia: Impaired blood flow to sections of the small intestine due to conditions like volvulus (twisting) can damage the intestinal lining and require surgical removal.
Radiation enteritis: Radiation treatment to the abdomen for cancers can injure the lining of the small bowel over time. Removal of damaged sections may be needed.
Trauma or surgical complications: Injuries requiring surgical removal of parts of the small intestine from accidents or complications during other abdominal surgeries can also lead to SBS.
Symptoms of Short gut syndrome
Once a significant portion of the small intestine has been removed or damaged, the body loses much of its ability to absorb nutrients properly from food. This leads to several characteristic signs and symptoms of SBS, including:
Diarrhea: Frequent, loose bowel movements are common as the food moves too quickly through the remaining shorter bowel. Stools may be watery and contain undigested food particles.
Malabsorption: Essential nutrients like protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes are poorly absorbed. This can cause malnutrition, dehydration and weight loss.
Fatigue and weakness: Malabsorption of nutrients and dehydration saps energy levels.
Abdominal bloating and cramping: Undigested food residues in the colon cause discomfort.
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies: Without proper absorption, deficiencies of iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc and fat-soluble vitamins develop over time.
Bone diseases: Chronic deficiencies lead to conditions like osteoporosis as bones become weak and brittle.
Danger of kidney stones: Too much oxalate from malabsorbed foods can crystallize into painful kidney stones.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Short gut syndrome
When SBS is suspected due to symptoms and history of intestinal surgery or disease, doctors may perform several tests to confirm and assess the severity:
Physical exam and medical history review: Doctors look for clinical signs of malnutrition and examine the abdomen.
Imaging tests: X-rays or CT scans can show the remnant small bowel.
Intestinal biopsy: Small samples of bowel tissue examined under a microscope may detect damage.
Breath tests: Tests absorption by measuring exhaled gases after ingesting specific sugars.
Nutrition assessment: Blood tests and stool studies check for deficiencies and malabsorption issues.
The goal of treatment is to facilitate proper nutrient absorption from food to prevent complications and improve quality of life. Strategies include:
Dietary changes: Eating smaller, more frequent meals with low-fat, high-protein, and easily digestible foods helps absorption. Nutritional supplements provide additional vitamins, minerals, and calories as needed.
Medications: Drugs like loperamide slow diarrhea by regulating bowel motility. Bile acid binding resins help absorb fat. Antibiotics treat bacterial overgrowth.
Parenteral nutrition: For severe cases, liquid nutrients are directly infused into veins through a central venous catheter when oral intake is insufficient.
Intestinal rehabilitation programs: Multidisciplinary teams coordinate intensive nutrition therapy, monitoring and medical management to gradually transition patients off parenteral nutrition support when possible.
Surgery: Rare cases may benefit from bowel lengthening or intestine transplantation. More research is evaluating new surgical options.
With careful long-term treatment, many SBS patients stabilize and enjoy good quality of life. However, it remains a complex condition requiring individualized lifelong management of nutrition, fluid balance and medications. Continued research aims to find new solutions.
Prognosis for People with Short gut syndrome
The prognosis and long-term outlook for people with SBS depends on several factors:
Cause and extent of small bowel loss: Those with severe short bowel from extensive resection have poorer outcomes.
Ability to achieve independence from IV nutrition support: Oral autonomy without TPN is ideal but difficult for short bowel remnants under 50 cm.
Development of SBS complications: Problems like line infections, liver dysfunction from TPN impact prognosis. Early rehabilitation minimizes risks.
Adherence to medical treatment: Following prescribed diets, medications, and monitoring plans optimizes results.
Access to specialized SBS centers: Coordinated interdisciplinary care from experienced teams leads to better maintenance at home.
Age and overall health: Younger, otherwise healthy individuals generally fare better than frail elderly patients with multiple comorbidities.
With diligent management, half of adults with SBS are eventually able to stop parenteral nutrition and survive long-term, relying only on enteral nutrition. Children have even higher success rates due to stronger adaptation abilities. However, SBS patients require lifelong medical oversight and some risks remain throughout life. Prompt treatment optimizes outcomes.
Access the Report in the Language that Resonates with You
French German Italian Russian Japanese Chinese Korean Portuguese
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
About Author - Ravina Pandya
Ravina Pandya,a content writer, has a strong foothold in the market research industry. She specializes in writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemicals and materials, etc. With an MBA in E-commerce, she has expertise in SEO-optimized content that resonates with industry professionals. LinkedIn Profile
