Short bowel syndrome: causes, symptoms

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Specialist II Phan Thi Minh Huong - Gastroenterologist - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital

Small bowel resection (usually more than 2⁄3 of the length of the small intestine) reduces absorption causing short bowel syndrome. Symptoms vary from patient to patient depending on the length and function of the remaining small intestine, but diarrhea can be severe and malnutrition is common.

Short bowel syndrome often occurs in people whose small intestine has been surgically removed in half or more, leaving the remaining length of intestine no more than 120cm, associated with poor absorption of nutrients .
The small intestine is the organ that digests food and absorbs nutrients, resulting in people with short bowel syndrome not properly absorbing nutrients from food, vitamins, and water into the body to maintain the living.
Short bowel syndrome is a rare medical condition. About 3 out of every million people each year are affected by this syndrome.

Surgery to remove half of the small intestine or more to treat intestinal diseases, injuries or birth defects is the main cause of short bowel syndrome.
For infants, short bowel syndrome can occur after surgery to treat some conditions such as:
Necrotizing inflammation in premature babies. Intestinal birth defects, such as: congenital short bowel, umbilical hernia, torsion of the midgut of the embryo. Children with meconium ileus.

For children and adults, short bowel syndrome can occur after surgery to treat certain conditions such as:
Intussusception - part of one intestinal fold inserts into another part of the intestine People with severe Crohn's disease . The disease occurs in many parts of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus. The absorption of nutrients from food will be reduced, impaired if it affects the small intestine. Lack of blood supply leads to intestinal damage. Trauma causes intestinal damage. Cancer and cancer treatment lead to bowel damage. In addition, disease or injury can also be the cause of short bowel syndrome because it prevents the normal function of the small intestine even though the length remains the same.
>> See more: Vitamin and mineral supplements for patients with short bowel syndrome - Post by Master, Doctor Mai Vien Phuong - Gastrointestinal endoscopist - Department of Examination & Internal Medicine - General Hospital Vinmec Central Park International Faculty

The main symptom of short bowel syndrome is diarrhea - the passage of loose, watery stools. Diarrhea can lead to dehydration, poor nutrition, and weight loss. Dehydration means the body doesn't have enough fluids and electrolytes - salt-like chemical compounds including sodium, phosphorus and chlorine - to function properly. Malnutrition is a condition that arises when the body does not absorb enough vitamins, minerals and nutrients needed to maintain healthy tissues as well as ensure the function of organs in the body. Liquid stools contain more fluids and electrolytes than solid stools. These problems can become serious and life-threatening if not treated properly.
Besides, short bowel syndrome may appear some other signs, including:
heartburn, bloating, abdominal pain; Malnutrition, weight loss; Sickness, fatigue; Anemia; Skin rash; Abnormal skin sensations; Dehydration; Strong-smelling stools; The possibility of infection increases; High risk of osteoporosis; Growth and development in children is impaired.

People with short bowel syndrome are prone to food allergies and sensitivities, such as lactose intolerance, with accompanying symptoms such as bloating, diarrhea, and gas in some cases after eating. or drink milk and dairy products.
Currently, experts still do not know how to prevent congenital short bowel syndrome because the cause is still unknown.
With the above sharing about short bowel syndrome, we hope it will become a useful reference source for readers to understand more about this syndrome