Digestive Diseases - Learn All about Short Bowel Syndrome

People with short bowel syndrome require adequate and timely treatment in order to sustain their life. This digestive disease is characterized by the inability of the intestine to absorb sufficient amounts of water and nutrients. This is typically due to the removal of more than half of the intestine because of another disease or injury to the gastrointestinal tract.

Removal of more than half of the intestine is the main cause of short bowel syndrome. The surgical removal may have been due to folding of part of the intestine into another part, Crohn's disease, cancer, damage to the intestine caused by cancer treatment or bowel injury. It is also possible for the disease to occur in people who have intestine of full length. In such cases, the cause is a disease or injury which prevents the intestine from functioning at its full capacity.

The main symptom of short bowel syndrome is diarrhea. This symptom can easily lead to dehydration. In the longer term, the patient can become malnourished and lose weight. The diarrhea may be accompanied by bloating and abdominal cramping. Some patients experience heartburn as well. As the body does not get enough water and nutrients, fatigue and weakness are also common. This digestive disease is often characterized by specific nutrient deficiencies. The deficiency the patient has depends on which part of the intestine was removed.

The treatment of short bowel syndrome depends on the severity of the problem. This digestive disease may be mild, moderate or severe depending on the ability of the intestine to absorb water and nutrients. The milder the problem is the simpler the treatment is and vice versa.

For mild cases of short bowel syndrome, a diet is the main form of treatment. Patients have to eat smaller meals more frequently. In addition, they have to drink plenty of fluids and take nutritional supplements. Often, doctors prescribe medications to treat the main symptom of the condition -diarrhea.

Patients with moderate short bowel syndrome have to follow the same treatment as those with a mild condition. They are also typically prescribed electrolyte supplements and fluid administered intravenously. This is necessary to prevent dehydration and complications such as kidney problems.

In cases of severe short bowel syndrome, the treatment involves oral rehydration solutions and parenteral nutrition; the administration of nutrients intravenously. Typically, patients continue to eat food so that the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract can be maintained. The length of the treatment depends on how quickly the work of the intestine will improve.