Short Bowel Syndrome
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GENERAL INFORMATION:
What is short bowel syndrome?
- Short bowel (BOW-el) syndrome (SIN-drohm) is a condition where there is a problem with absorbing nutrients from the intestines (bowel). This occurs when the small bowel is shorter than normal or has problems with the way it functions. A shortened small bowel may be a result of surgery, birth defects, or disease. The longer the small bowel, the better the chances that nutrients, electrolytes (salts), and fluids will be absorbed. With a shortened or poorly functioning small bowel, not enough fluids and nutrients are absorbed from food. This may lead to poor nutrition or dehydration (loss of body fluids), which can be life-threatening.
- The intestines are part of the gastrointestinal (GI) system where food is digested (broken down). The small intestine is the tube that runs from the stomach to the colon (large intestine). It is made up of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. The colon is the long tube that connects the small bowel with the anus (rear end). The colon absorbs water from digested foods and turns the digested food into stool (bowel movement).
What causes short bowel syndrome? Short bowel syndrome is caused by the loss of a part of the small bowel. It may also be caused by the loss of function of the small bowel. It may be congenital (happened before birth) or it may occur anytime during life. The following conditions may cause short bowel syndrome:
- Congenital: Problems during the growth of the fetus may cause defects in body parts. Short bowel syndrome may happen along with other birth defects that may involve the GI tract.
- Acquired:
- Bowel surgery: Surgery to remove a part of the small or large intestine may have been done to treat intestinal problems. Diseases of the bowel, such as Crohn's disease and necrotizing enterocolitis, are common causes for having bowel surgery. Bowel surgery also may have been done to treat intestinal atresia, volvulus, twisted bowels, and obesity (overweight).
- Other causes: Short bowel syndrome may also be due to a tumor, radiation, or infection, such as AIDS. Some functional problems in the bowel, like sprue or dysmotility, may also cause shortl bowel syndrome.
- Bowel surgery: Surgery to remove a part of the small or large intestine may have been done to treat intestinal problems. Diseases of the bowel, such as Crohn's disease and necrotizing enterocolitis, are common causes for having bowel surgery. Bowel surgery also may have been done to treat intestinal atresia, volvulus, twisted bowels, and obesity (overweight).
What are the signs and symptoms of short bowel syndrome? Diarrhea (loose, watery bowel movement) is the main symptom of short bowel syndrome. Your stools (bowel movement) may floating or be foul-smelling. You may also have abdominal (stomach) cramping or feel bloated (feel too full). Losing too much weight, feeling more tired than usual, and hair loss may also be present. Sometimes, you may have skin rashes and problems thinking clearly or seeing, especially at night.
How is short bowel syndrome diagnosed? Caregivers will take your past and current health history. They may also want to know if you had any bowel surgeries in the past. You may also need any of the following tests:
- Abdominal x-rays: These are pictures of the organs inside your abdomen. Caregivers use these pictures to look for problems, such as blocked, shortened, or enlarged intestines.
- Barium enema: A barium enema is an x-ray of the colon. A tube is put into your anus, and a liquid called barium is put through the tube. Barium is used so that caregivers can see your colon better on the x-ray film.
- Blood tests: Different blood tests may be done. These tests may check to see if you have an infection or lack vitamins, electrolytes, or fluids in your body.
- Hydrogen breath test: This measures how well you absorb carbohydrates (sugars). Caregivers can also check if too many bacteria are growing inside your small bowel.
- Stool and urine tests: A sample of your stool or urine may be taken and sent to the laboratory for tests.
How is short bowel syndrome treated? Proper nutrition is very important in short bowel syndrome. You may be given nutrition through your mouth, vein (IV), or a catheter. This depends on the cause of your short bowel syndrome and what part of your bowel is remaining. You may also need one or more of the following:
- Medicines: You may be given medicines to relieve your symptoms. Antibiotics may be used to fight germs and prevent infections. You may also need medicines for diarrhea, fever, swelling, blood clots, or to decrease stomach acid.
- Nutritional supplements: Caregivers may give you vitamins and minerals to make sure you are getting enough nutrition. Some examples of these supplements include vitamins A, D, B12, thiamine, folate, calcium, or magnesium.
- Surgery: You may need surgery if the intestines become blocked. Caregivers may do additional bowel surgeries, such as a colostomy. Colostomy is a surgery where a part of the intestines is connected to an opening in the abdomen (stomach). Sometimes, you may need a bowel transplant. This is done by removing your bowel and replacing it with a healthy, donated bowel.
Where can you find support and more information? Having short bowel syndrome is a life-changing condition for you and your family. Accepting that you have short bowel syndrome is hard. You and those close to you may feel angry, sad, or frightened. These feelings are normal. Talk to your caregivers, family, or friends about your feelings. You may also want to join a support group. This is a group of people who also have short bowel syndrome. Contact the following for more information about short bowel syndrome:
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC)
2 Information Way
Bethesda, MD 20892-3570
Phone: 1-800-8915389
Web Address: www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov
- International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
P.O. Box 170864
Milwaukee, WI 53217
Phone: 1-414-964-1799
Phone: 1-888-964-2001
Web Address: http://www.iffgd.org
CARE AGREEMENT:
You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.
Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.
The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
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