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Short Bowel Syndrome

Malabsorption that results from the removal of a large segment of the small intestine or, less frequently, from the complete dysfunction of a large portion of the small intestine. Signs and symptoms include diarrhea, steatorrhea, and weigh loss.

Symptoms of Short Bowel Syndrome

The following features are indicative of Short Bowel Syndrome:
  • diarrhea
  • bloating
  • cramping
  • fatigue
  • feeling tired
  • foul-smelling stool
  • heartburn
  • too much gas
  • vomiting
  • weakness
  • food allergies
  • lactose intolerance
  • malnutrition

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Common Causes of Short Bowel Syndrome

The following are the most common causes of Short Bowel Syndrome:
  • portions of the small intestine surgically removed
  • portions of the small intestine are missing or damaged at birth

Risk Factors for Short Bowel Syndrome

The following factors may increase the likelihood of Short Bowel Syndrome:
  • poor motility inside the intestines
  • significant damage of the small intestine

Prevention of Short Bowel Syndrome

Yes, it may be possible to prevent Short Bowel Syndrome. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
  • drink oral rehydration solutions
  • avoid foods that can cause diarrhea
  • avoid high fat foods

Occurrence of Short Bowel Syndrome

Number of Cases

The following are the number of Short Bowel Syndrome cases seen each year worldwide:
  • Rare between 10K - 50K cases

Common Age Group

Short Bowel Syndrome can occur at any age.

Common Gender

Short Bowel Syndrome can occur in any gender.

Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Short Bowel Syndrome

The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Short Bowel Syndrome:
  • Physical Exam: To look for muscle wasting or weight loss and signs of vitamin and mineral deficiencies
  • Blood test : To show mineral and vitamin levels and measure complete blood count
  • Fecal fat test: To measures the body's ability to break down and absorb fat
  • Computed tomography Scan: To show bowel obstruction and changes in the intestines.

Complications of Short Bowel Syndrome if untreated

Yes, Short Bowel Syndrome causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Short Bowel Syndrome is left untreated:
  • malnutrition
  • peptic ulcer
  • kidney stones
  • small intestinal bacterial overgrowth

Procedures for Treatment of Short Bowel Syndrome

The following procedures are used to treat Short Bowel Syndrome:
  • Surgery: To increase the small intestine's ability to absorb nutrients
  • Intestinal transplant: To remove a diseased or an injured small intestine and replace it with a healthy small intestine

Self-care for Short Bowel Syndrome

The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Short Bowel Syndrome:
  • drink oral rehydration solutions
  • avoid foods that can cause diarrhea
  • avoid high fat foods
  • eat healthy diet

Patient Support for Treatment of Short Bowel Syndrome

The following actions may help Short Bowel Syndrome patients:
  • Join online support groups: Provides information about the disease

Time for Treatment of Short Bowel Syndrome

While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Short Bowel Syndrome to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision:
  • Disease cannot be treated but only maintained or effects reduced

Last updated date

This page was last updated on 2/04/2019.
This page provides information for Short Bowel Syndrome.

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