Did you know? Your small intestine is the longest part of your digestive system, measuring twenty feet long. It connects your stomach to your large intestine and folds many times to fit inside your abdomen. The small intestine is responsible for digesting most of the foods you consume. It consists of three parts: the duodenum, the ileum, and the jejunum.
Issues with the small intestine can include bleeding, Celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, infections, intestinal cancer, intestinal obstructions, irritable bowel syndrome, and ulcers. If you are experiencing digestive problems, seek help from your doctor immediately. Treatment for small bowel disorders depends on the specific cause.
The Small Bowel: An Essential Organ in Digestion
Let’s understand more about your intestine. The small bowel breaks down food and fluid to absorb nutrients and water. Here’s an interesting fact: More than 90% of the nutrients and water your body receives from food comes from the digestive process in your small intestine. It quickly moves food along your gastrointestinal tract.
Many of you may not think that your small bowel since it continuously digests what you eat and drink. However, several common conditions and disorders can affect its normal function. Their symptoms can indeed make you feel miserable. Therefore, understanding how the small intestine works can help you keep it healthy.
When Things Go Wrong: Common Small Bowel Issues
What happens when the small intestine is inflamed, blocked, or damaged? Diseases and conditions can prevent your small bowel from absorbing nutrients and water. This can lead to concerning symptoms such as chronic belly pain, bloated stomach, diarrhea, bloody stool, constipation, and unexplained weight loss.
Common Symptoms of Small Bowel Disorders
Symptoms of bowel disorders differ between diseases. It is hard to tell which symptoms indicate which condition in the early stages. Stomach and rectal discomfort, as well as lower belly pain, might be early signs to watch for.
Common symptoms and signs of small bowel disorders include;
- Bloating
- Swollen, painful belly
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Unexplained weight loss
- Reduced appetite
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Bloody stools
- Greasy stools that smell bad
Sometimes, outside the gut, there may be problems with the skin, mouth, and joints. Especially in Crohn’s disease, you may experience whole-body symptoms like fever and fatigue. Remember, these symptoms can be severe enough to disrupt your daily life.
Causes and Risk Factors of Small Bowel Conditions
The most common causes of small bowel disorders include infections, autoimmune diseases, and obstructions. Autoimmune diseases such as Crohn’s disease and celiac disease cause chronic inflammation, leading to diarrhea and malabsorption. On the other hand, intestinal tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious cause that results in ulcers and strictures in the small bowel.
Common causes of bowel obstructions include abdominal adhesions, which are scar tissues that may form after surgery on your abdomen or pelvis, and Meckel’s diverticulum, a congenital abnormality that can also cause bleeding or infection. Plus, lifestyle risk factors such as poor diet, smoking, and high-fat foods, have been linked to bowel dysfunction and inflammation.
Major Small Bowel Conditions and Their Management
There are several types of disorders affecting the small intestine and its function. Some conditions significantly affect digestion and absorption, while others result from inflammation, bleeding, obstruction, and ulcers. If left untreated, small bowel disorders can lead to further complications. Therefore, see a specialist if you suffer from digestive disorder symptoms.
Bleeding from the Small Bowel: A Hidden Danger
Approximately 5% of all GI tract bleeding comes from the small intestine. Small bowel bleeding may be slow or fast, and the major causes include abnormal blood vessels, tumors, Crohn’s disease, polyps, and ulcers. When the bleeding is slow, it may not be visible in the stool. However, this slow bleeding of the small bowel may result in anemia (a low blood count).
People with fast small bowel bleeding (hemorrhage) may notice blood in their stools and the stools may appear tarry. Abnormal blood vessels become more common with age and are associated with kidney diseases and heart diseases. Endoscopy and enteroscopy are the primary diagnostic tools. Treatment options include endoscopy, deep enteroscopy, and surgery.
Small Bowel Perforation: A Life-Threatening Emergency
Gastrointestinal (GI) perforation is a medical emergency in which certain medical conditions and injuries cause a hole in your GI tract. Small bowel perforation can result in severe internal bleeding and significant blood loss. A hole in your small bowel can leak food or digestive fluids into your abdomen. Large intestine perforation can cause stool to leak into your abdomen.
Without immediate medical care, bowel perforation can lead to peritonitis, inflammation of the inner abdominal wall, and sepsis, a life-threatening reaction to an infection. Forceful vomiting, accidental swallowing of harmful objects or corrosive chemicals, bowel impaction, a wound from a traumatic event, and certain medical procedures can cause small bowel perforation.
Some medical conditions such as appendicitis, diverticulitis, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, esophageal or colorectal cancer, bowel obstruction, hernias, inflammatory bowel diseases, and peptic ulcer disease can also cause bowel perforation in severe cases. However, having any of these conditions doesn’t mean you’ll have perforation; it only means that the risk is higher.
Symptoms that indicate perforation may include;
- Abdominal pain or cramping
- Fever or chills
- Swollen abdomen
- Bloating
- Tenderness or pain while touching your lower belly
After physical examination, your doctor may use blood tests, stool tests, colonoscopy, X-rays, CT scan, and an endoscopy to diagnose small bowel perforation and determine its severity. If you are diagnosed with bowel perforation, you may need emergency surgical procedures such as endoscopy, laparoscopic surgery, or traditional open surgery to repair it.
Treatment Approaches for Small Bowel Conditions
Treatment for small bowel conditions will vary depending on the underlying cause, and options may include medications, surgery, dietary changes, and nutritional support.
Medication-Based Management
Medications commonly prescribed for small bowel conditions include anti-inflammatory drugs, immunosuppressants, antibiotics, and antacids. If you have peptic ulcer disease, your doctor may prescribe medications that protect your small bowel while it heals. Other medications that may be used include antidiarrheals, fiber supplements, and pain relievers.
Minimally Invasive Surgery
Many conditions can affect your small bowel and cause unpleasant symptoms. Certain conditions may require surgery if other treatments are ineffective. A laparoscopic procedure is often recommended for conditions such as Crohn’s, obstructions, or diverticula. In some cases of Crohn’s disease, surgery may be necessary if the bowel becomes narrowed.
Nutritional and Lifestyle Modifications
Nutritional support and lifestyle changes play a key role in managing small bowel disorders. For example, celiac disease treatment promarily invloves following a gluten-free diet, as there currently no medications to treat the condition.
For IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) treatment, a combination of diet adjustments, medications, and lifestyle changes is recommended. Your doctor may advise consuming fiber-rich and low-fat foods, while stress management techniques and exercises can help reduce flare-ups.
Preventing Small Bowel Disorders
You can follow certain daily habits to maintain a healthy gut. It is importantr to eat multiple smaller meals and avoid inflammatory foods. Also, drink plenty of water, as staying hydrated helps your body flush waste and toxins. Regular physical activity will also help your digestive system function properly. High-risk individuals should ensure they undergo regular screenings.
Why Choose Us for Small Bowel Disorder Treatment?
Adults with small bowel disorder often have a history of prior surgery that involved removing part of the intestine. They may also experience issues with the motility of the intestine. If you have small bowel disorder, our board-certified gastroenterologists will evaluate the underlying cause of your symptoms and condition while ruling out further complications.
At Dr. Patta’s Gastro Centre, we use the most advanced technology and diagnostic tools to accurately diagnose and treat even the most complex small intesntine conditions. Struggling with digestive issues? Schedule a consultation today! We develop personalized treatment plan based on your specific health preferences and goals.
