Short bowel syndrome

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Digestive system

Digestive system organs

Small intestine insufficiency

Treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms.

A high-calorie and low-residue diet supplying essential vitamins and minerals is necessary. A low-residue diet is easy to digest and absorb. Anemia is treated with vitamin B-12, folic acid, and increased dietary iron. Medications may be given to lengthen the time nutrients spend in the small intestine.

Parenteral nutrition (tube feeding through a vein or stomach tube) is often necessary if normal feeding is not delivering enough nutrients. Once the patient has stabilized, however, a return to normal eating may be tried.

The condition may improve over time if it occurs as a result of surgery. Improvement of nutrient absorption and lengthening of the time the food spends in the intestine usually occurs with recovery from surgery.

• Weight loss
• Malnutrition
• Weakened bones
• Combined systems disease (a degeneration of the nervous system caused by not having enough vitamin B-12)
• Gallstones
• Bacterial overgrowth
• Metabolic acidosis
• Kidney stones

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms suggestive of short bowel syndrome develop, particularly if you recently had bowel surgery.

Review Date: 10/13/2006
Reviewed By: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Frankford-Torresdale Hospital, Jefferson Health System, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.