Living with Short bowel syndrome
A digestive condition in which the small intestine can't absorb enough nutrients.
Understanding Short bowel syndrome
Most digestion and nutrient absorption happens in the small intestine. In adults, causes include Crohn disease, loss of blood flow to the intestine, radiation damage, or surgery that removes half or more of the small intestine. In children, main causes include necrotizing enterocolitis, intestinal atresias and intestinal volvulus.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Diarrhea
- Cramping and bloating
- Heartburn
- Dehydration
- Weight loss and malnutrition
- Weakness and tiredness
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include digestive system specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Association of Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Digestive system specialists (gastroenterologists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: Association of Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Association of Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD says it is caused by problems with or loss of part of the small intestine. Causes include Crohn disease, surgery, and in children conditions such as necrotizing enterocolitis.
Also known as: acquired short bowel syndrome; post-resection short bowel syndrome; sbs - short bowel syndrome; sgs - short gut syndrome; short gut syndrome; short intestine syndrome
Patient organizations
- Association of Gastrointestinal Motility DisordersShort bowel syndrome · United States
- AGA GI Patient CenterShort bowel syndrome · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Short bowel syndrome.
Explore research for Short bowel syndrome
Explore actively recruiting Short bowel syndrome studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Short bowel syndrome with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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