Short bowel syndrome (patient information): Difference between revisions
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
Short bowel syndrome is a condition in which nutrients are not properly absorbed ([[malabsorption]]) because a large part of the [[small intestine]] is missing or has been surgically removed. | Short bowel syndrome is a condition in which [[nutrients]] are not properly absorbed ([[malabsorption]]) because a large part of the [[small intestine]] is missing or has been [[Surgery|surgically]] removed. | ||
==What are the symptoms of short bowel syndrome?== | ==What are the symptoms of short bowel syndrome?== | ||
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*[[Fatigue]] | *[[Fatigue]] | ||
*Pale, greasy [[stools]] | *Pale, greasy [[stools]] | ||
*Swelling ([[edema]]), especially of the legs | *[[Swelling]] ([[edema]]), especially of the [[legs]] | ||
*Very foul-smelling stools | *Very foul-smelling [[stools]] | ||
*[[Weight loss]] | *[[Weight loss]] | ||
==What causes short bowel syndrome?== | ==What causes short bowel syndrome?== | ||
When areas of the [[small intestine]] are removed by [[surgery]], or they are missing due to a birth defect ([[congenital defect]]), there may not be enough surface area left in the remaining [[bowel]] to absorb enough nutrients from food. | * When areas of the [[small intestine]] are removed by [[surgery]], or they are missing due to a [[Birth defects|birth defect]] ([[congenital defect]]), there may not be enough surface area left in the remaining [[bowel]] to absorb enough [[nutrients]] from food. | ||
This condition is likely to develop when one-half or more of the bowel is removed during surgery. | * This condition is likely to develop when one-half or more of the [[bowel]] is removed during surgery. | ||
==Who is at highest risk?== | ==Who is at highest risk?== | ||
Risk factors include diseases of the small intestine that may require surgery, such as [[Crohn's disease]]. [[Necrotizing enterocolitis]] is a common cause of short bowel syndrome in infants. | [[Risk factors]] include diseases of the small intestine that may require surgery, such as [[Crohn's disease]]. [[Necrotizing enterocolitis]] is a common cause of short bowel syndrome in [[infants]]. | ||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
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*Blood chemistry tests (such as [[albumin]] level) | *Blood chemistry tests (such as [[albumin]] level) | ||
*[[Complete blood count]] (CBC) | *[[Complete blood count]] ([[Complete blood count|CBC]]) | ||
*[[Fecal fat | *[[Fecal fat]] test | ||
*[[Small intestine]] x-ray | *[[Small intestine]] x-ray | ||
*[[Vitamin]] levels in the blood | *[[Vitamin]] levels in the blood | ||
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==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ||
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you develop symptoms of short bowel syndrome, especially if you recently had bowel surgery. | Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you develop [[symptoms]] of short bowel syndrome, especially if you recently had bowel surgery. | ||
==Treatment options== | ==Treatment options== | ||
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Treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms, and may include: | Treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms, and may include: | ||
*A high-calorie diet that supplies essential vitamins and minerals, as well as certain types of [[carbohydrates]], [[proteins]], and [[fats]]. | *A high-[[calorie]] diet that supplies essential [[vitamins]] and [[minerals]], as well as certain types of [[carbohydrates]], [[proteins]], and [[fats]]. | ||
*Some vitamins and minerals may need to be given by injection. | *Some [[vitamins]] and [[minerals]] may need to be given by [[Injections|injection]]. | ||
*Treatment for [[anemia]] with [[vitamin B-12]], [[folic acid]], and increased dietary [[iron]]. | *Treatment for [[anemia]] with [[vitamin B-12]], [[folic acid]], and increased [[dietary]] [[iron]]. | ||
*Medications to slow down the normal movement of the intestine (lengthens the time nutrients spend in the small intestine). | *Medications to slow down the normal movement of the [[Intestines|intestine]] (lengthens the time [[nutrients]] spend in the [[small intestine]]). | ||
*Tube feeding through a [[vein]] ([[parenteral nutrition]]), if normal feeding is not delivering enough nutrients (patients can sometimes return to normal eating once they have stabilized). | *[[Nasogastric intubation|Tube feeding]] through a [[vein]] ([[parenteral nutrition]]), if normal feeding is not delivering enough [[nutrients]] (patients can sometimes return to normal eating once they have stabilized). | ||
==Where to find medical care for short bowel syndrome?== | ==Where to find medical care for short bowel syndrome?== | ||
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==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ||
The condition may improve over time if it occurs as a result of surgery. There may be a gradual improvement in nutrient absorption. | The condition may improve over time if it occurs as a result of [[surgery]]. There may be a gradual improvement in [[nutrient]] [[absorption]]. | ||
==Possible complications== | ==Possible complications== | ||
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The following list shows certain complications that can occur with short bowel syndrome. | The following list shows certain complications that can occur with short bowel syndrome. | ||
*Bacterial overgrowth in the [[small intestine]]. | *[[Bacterial overgrowth]] in the [[small intestine]]. | ||
*[[Nervous system]] problems caused by a lack of [[vitamin B12]]. | *[[Nervous system]] problems caused by a lack of [[vitamin B12]]. | ||
*Too much [[acid]] in the blood (metabolic [[acidosis]] due to [[diarrhea]]) | *Too much [[acid]] in the [[blood]] (metabolic [[acidosis]] due to [[diarrhea]]) | ||
*[[Gallstones]] | *[[Gallstones]] | ||
*[[Kidney stones]] | *[[Kidney stones]] | ||
*[[Malnutrition]] | *[[Malnutrition]] | ||
*Weakened bones ([[osteomalacia]]) | *Weakened [[bones]] ([[osteomalacia]]) | ||
*[[Weight loss]] | *[[Weight loss]] | ||
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[[Category:Gastroenterology]] | [[Category:Gastroenterology]] | ||
[[Category:Surgery]] | [[Category:Surgery]] | ||
[[Category:Up-To-Date]] | [[Category:Up-To-Date]] | ||
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[[Category:Primary care]] | [[Category:Primary care]] | ||
{{WH}} | {{WH}} | ||
{{WS}} | {{WS}} | ||
Revision as of 16:16, 18 December 2017
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Short bowel syndrome |
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Short bowel syndrome On the Web |
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For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sadaf Sharfaei M.D.[2]
Overview
Short bowel syndrome is a condition in which nutrients are not properly absorbed (malabsorption) because a large part of the small intestine is missing or has been surgically removed.
What are the symptoms of short bowel syndrome?
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Pale, greasy stools
- Swelling (edema), especially of the legs
- Very foul-smelling stools
- Weight loss
What causes short bowel syndrome?
- When areas of the small intestine are removed by surgery, or they are missing due to a birth defect (congenital defect), there may not be enough surface area left in the remaining bowel to absorb enough nutrients from food.
- This condition is likely to develop when one-half or more of the bowel is removed during surgery.
Who is at highest risk?
Risk factors include diseases of the small intestine that may require surgery, such as Crohn's disease. Necrotizing enterocolitis is a common cause of short bowel syndrome in infants.
Diagnosis
The following exams and tests may be used to help diagnose short bowel syndrome.
- Blood chemistry tests (such as albumin level)
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Fecal fat test
- Small intestine x-ray
- Vitamin levels in the blood
When to seek urgent medical care?
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you develop symptoms of short bowel syndrome, especially if you recently had bowel surgery.
Treatment options
Treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms, and may include:
- A high-calorie diet that supplies essential vitamins and minerals, as well as certain types of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
- Some vitamins and minerals may need to be given by injection.
- Treatment for anemia with vitamin B-12, folic acid, and increased dietary iron.
- Medications to slow down the normal movement of the intestine (lengthens the time nutrients spend in the small intestine).
- Tube feeding through a vein (parenteral nutrition), if normal feeding is not delivering enough nutrients (patients can sometimes return to normal eating once they have stabilized).
Where to find medical care for short bowel syndrome?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Condition
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
The condition may improve over time if it occurs as a result of surgery. There may be a gradual improvement in nutrient absorption.
Possible complications
The following list shows certain complications that can occur with short bowel syndrome.
- Bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine.
- Nervous system problems caused by a lack of vitamin B12.
- Too much acid in the blood (metabolic acidosis due to diarrhea)
- Gallstones
- Kidney stones
- Malnutrition
- Weakened bones (osteomalacia)
- Weight loss
Sources