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Small Bowel Disorders

The small bowel, also referred to as the small intestine, is a part of the mammalian digestive tract. After food passes through the stomach, it enters the small bowel for further digestion and absorption of nutrients before moving into the large intestine to be excreted as waste. There is a host of disorders that can affect the small bowel, all of which cause symptoms throughout the body, speaking to the important role digestion plays in overall health.

  1. Types of Small Bowel Disorders

    • The most common types of small bowel disorders can be classified into distinct categories: inflammatory bowel diseases, autoimmune conditions and infectious diseases. Inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, cause swelling and inflammation in the small bowel. The most common autoimmune condition of the small bowel is celiac disease, a reaction to ingested gluten. Infectious diseases include a range of disorders including tapeworms and bacterial infections like tropical sprue (known medically as giardiasis).

    Testing for Small Bowel Disorders

    • There are several tests that can be performed to verify small bowel disorders. Typically, the first test done to diagnose a small bowel disorder is an X-ray to ensure any symptoms an individual is reporting are not caused by a form of blockage or rupture. Additional tests will be chosen based on reported symptoms; for example, a blood test may be given to individuals suspected to have celiac disease to see if white blood cell count is elevated. If an infection is suspected, a stool sample may be analyzed to identify specific bacteria or worms.

    Effects of Small Bowel Disorders

    • All types of small bowel disorders, if left untreated for long periods of time, affect the body as a whole in similar ways. The number one effect of a small bowel disorder is a compromised ability to absorb nutrients from food, leading to malnutrition, weight loss, fatigue and trouble concentrating. Small bowel disorders typically cause diarrhea, which can also lead to dehydration.

    Considerations

    • While some small bowel disorders, such as infectious diseases, are not typically life threatening, many types are serious conditions that can lead to long-term damage of the intestinal tissue if left untreated. Inflammatory and autoimmune diseases in particular can cause damage that takes the body several months to several years to fully repair. There has been some indication that long-term damage to the small intestine from some of these disorders can put an individual at increased for intestinal cancer and other serious conditions.

    Warning

    • If you notice blood in your stools, have chronic diarrhea for more than four days, experience abdominal pain, fever, or rapid weight loss, contact your doctor to diagnose your symptoms. These symptoms can be indicative of a serious small bowel disorder that requires immediate attention. Do not try to self-medicate with over-the-counter products, such as fiber, anti-diarrheals, or pain medications. They may aggravate or worsen your condition.

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