Small Intestine Problems: Causes, Remedies, Treatment. Discuss at 13th World Gastroenterology, IBD & Hepatology Conference 2023.

Problems with the Small Intestine

The small intestine, also known as the small bowel, is a digestive tract organ. This is the longest part of the digestive system, connecting the stomach and the large intestine.

The small intestine absorbs vitamins and minerals as digested food passes through it. Small intestine problems can cause not only discomfort but also nutritional issues, which can affect the rest of the body.

Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), and irritable bowel syndrome are all diseases and conditions that can affect the small intestine (IBS). This article will give you a quick rundown of some of the most common small bowel disorders, including symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment.

Symptoms of Small Intestine Disease

Food travels down the oesophagus (food tube) into the stomach, then into the small intestine after being chewed and swallowed. It passes through the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum of the small intestine. While food is digested and vitamins and minerals are absorbed, the muscles in the small bowel walls move it along.

Several issues can arise in the small intestine, affecting how well it digests food.

Crohn’s disease is a type of IBD.

One type of inflammatory bowel disease is Crohn’s disease (IBD). It can have an impact on both the small intestine and the rest of the digestive tract. It causes inflammation in the lining of the gut walls. This can result in ulcers. Other digestive tract issues that can arise include pain, diarrhoea, constipation, and poor food digestion.

Aside from the gut, there may be issues with the eyes, skin, and joints. Crohn’s disease primarily affects the digestive system, but it can also affect the entire person in a variety of ways.

Gluten Intolerance

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease, which occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own cells. The small intestine is affected by celiac disease. Villi, which resemble small fingers, cover the lining of the small bowel. The villi are responsible for absorbing nutrients from food.

When a celiac patient consumes gluten, white blood cells attack the villi, causing them to wear down. This reduces the ability of the small intestine to absorb vitamins and minerals from food.

Some people have no symptoms, while others have diarrhoea or constipation, bloating, abdominal pain, vomiting, weight loss, and fatigue. There may also be symptoms in other parts of the body, such as anaemia (a lack of healthy red blood cells), joint pain, or other issues, particularly in adults.

IBS is an abbreviation for Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

IBS is a common condition affecting the intestines. Constipation, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, bloating, and other signs and symptoms are possible. The symptoms can be severe enough to disrupt daily activities such as going to school or work and socialising.

Obstruction

A small intestine obstruction or blockage indicates that something is preventing food from passing through. This can be caused by another condition, such as Crohn’s disease. Inflammation can cause the bowel to become blocked or cause scar tissue to form, thickening the intestine walls.

Food can become stuck if the small bowel moves food too slowly due to a condition (called motility disorders). A bowel obstruction can be life-threatening. In the hospital, blockages may be treated with medication and fluids. Surgery may be required in severe cases.

Bacterial Overgrowth in the Small Intestine

Microorganisms (gut flora) are normally found in the small and large intestines and are essential to their function. Bacteria can become unbalanced and overgrow. This can cause symptoms like gas, bloating, constipation, or diarrhoea, as well as weight loss or other symptoms that are not related to the digestive system.

SIBO can be challenging to diagnose and treat. It could be linked to other conditions like IBS, diabetes, or autoimmune diseases.

What Are the Signs of Small Intestine Disorders?

A problem with the small intestine may not cause any symptoms at all in some cases. The signs and symptoms will vary depending on which disorder is causing the issue, but some may be more common across conditions.

These are some examples:

Bloating in the abdomen

Pain or discomfort in the abdomen

Constipation

Diarrhea

Gas \sNausea

Vomiting

What Are the Causes of Small Intestine Problems?

Depending on the condition, the causes of small intestine problems vary. In some cases, the causes are unknown, and they include:

How Are Small Intestine Disorders Handled?

The treatment for small bowel conditions will vary depending on the cause. However, as part of treatment, lifestyle changes such as nutrition and diet, stress reduction, or working with a mental health professional may be implemented.

Gluten avoidance is the treatment for celiac disease. There are currently no medications available to treat the condition, though treatments for symptoms outside the digestive system may exist.

Summary

Small intestine diseases and disorders are common. Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, and irritable bowel syndrome are among them. These can result in digestive symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, and vomiting. They can also cause vitamin deficiency or anaemia.

These conditions can take time and a variety of imaging tests to diagnose. Treatment may entail making lifestyle changes, particularly dietary changes. Medication and surgery may be used to manage the signs and symptoms of some conditions.

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