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Short bowel syndrome is a group of problems related to poor absorption of nutrients. Short bowel syndrome typically occurs in people who have. Short bowel syndrome may be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on how well the small intestine is working. People with short bowel syndrome cannot absorb enough water, vitamins, minerals, protein, fat, calories, and other nutrients from food. What nutrients the small intestine has trouble absorbing depends on which section of the small intestine has been damaged or removed.

The small intestine is the tube-shaped organ between the stomach and large intestine. Most food digestion and nutrient absorption take place in the small intestine. The small intestine is about 20 feet long and includes the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum:. The large intestine is about 5 feet long in adults and absorbs water and any remaining nutrients from partially digested food passed from the small intestine. The large intestine then changes waste from liquid to a solid matter called stool.

The main cause of short bowel syndrome is surgery to remove a portion of the small intestine. This surgery can treat intestinal diseases, injuries, or birth defects. Some children are born with an abnormally short small intestine or with part of their bowel missing, which can cause short bowel syndrome. In infants, short bowel syndrome most commonly occurs following surgery to treat necrotizing enterocolitis, a condition in which part of the tissue in the intestines is destroyed.

Short bowel syndrome is a rare condition. Each year, short bowel syndrome affects about three out of every million people. The main symptom of short bowel syndrome is diarrhea —loose, watery stools. Diarrhea can lead to dehydration, malnutrition, and weight loss. Dehydration means the body lacks enough fluid and electrolytes—chemicals in salts, including sodium, potassium, and chloride—to work properly.

Malnutrition is a condition that develops when the body does not get the right amount of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients it needs to maintain healthy tissues and organ function. Loose stools contain more fluid and electrolytes than solid stools. These problems can be severe and can be life threatening without proper treatment.

People with short bowel syndrome are also more likely to develop food allergies and sensitivities, such as lactose intolerance. Lactose intolerance is a condition in which people have digestive symptoms—such as bloating, diarrhea, and gas —after eating or drinking milk or milk products. Taking a medical and family history may help a health care provider diagnose short bowel syndrome.

He or she will ask the patient about symptoms and may request a history of past operations. A physical exam may help diagnose short bowel syndrome.

During a physical exam, a health care provider usually. A blood test involves drawing a patient's blood at a health care provider's office or a commercial facility and sending the sample to a lab for analysis. Blood tests can show mineral and vitamin levels and measure complete blood count.

A fecal fat test measures the body's ability to break down and absorb fat. For this test, a patient provides a stool sample at a health care provider's office. The patient may also use a take-home test kit. The patient collects stool in plastic wrap that he or she lays over the toilet seat and places a sample into a container. A patient can also use a special tissue provided by the health care provider's office to collect the sample and place the tissue into the container. For children wearing diapers, the parent or caretaker can line the diaper with plastic to collect the stool.

The health care provider will send the sample to a lab for analysis. A fecal fat test can show how well the small intestine is working.

An x-ray is a picture created by using radiation and recorded on film or on a computer. The amount of radiation used is small. An x-ray technician performs the x-ray at a hospital or an outpatient center, and a radiologist—a doctor who specializes in medical imaging—interprets the images.

You are here Home » Bowel Obstruction. Top of the page. Topic Overview What is a bowel obstruction? What causes a bowel obstruction? What are the symptoms? Symptoms include: Cramping and belly pain that comes and goes. The pain can occur around or below the belly button.

Bloating and a large, hard belly. Constipation and a lack of gas, if the intestine is completely blocked. Diarrhea, if the intestine is partly blocked. How is a bowel obstruction diagnosed? Your doctor may do: An abdominal X-ray , which can find blockages in the small and large intestines. A CT scan of the belly, which helps your doctor see whether the blockage is partial or complete. How is it treated? Most bowel obstructions are treated in the hospital. Intestinal obstruction. In MM Wolfe et al.

Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier. Credits Current as of: April 15, Top of the page Next Section: Related Information. Previous Section: References Top of the page. He or she will ask you about your symptoms. Tell your provider where your pain is and how strong it is. Also tell your provider if you have had changes in your bowel movements or appetite. Tell your provider if you have any other unusual symptoms, such as digestive sounds or a feeling of being bloated.

The treatment your healthcare provider recommends will depend on what is causing the blockage. For a simple blockage you may need to have only fluids and no solids to eat. Your provider will work to fix any metabolic problems. You may have an intestinal decompression. This is usually done with a nasogastric tube. You may also have bowel rest. You will need surgery right away if your intestinal obstruction is more complicated. This could be from a tear perforation in the intestine or a problem with blood flow.

You may also need surgery if other treatment does not remove the blockage. The goal is to remove the blockage and repair your organs. Your provider also might recommend using a small, flexible tube to keep your intestine open, instead of having more invasive surgery.

Complications are problems caused by your condition. Complications of intestinal obstruction include:. Abdominal adhesions that occur after surgery may be prevented if your medical team takes certain measures. These include keeping the incision site moist instead of dry. Discuss in advance what steps your medical team can take to reduce your risk for adhesions after surgery. Get medical help right away if you have symptoms of intestinal obstruction.

These include severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and inability to pass stool. If he or she has told you to change your diet as part of your treatment, stick to the new plan.