Small Intestine Problems

In human anatomy, the small intestine or small bowel is an important part of the digestive system, in which digestion of food particles and assimilation of nutrients take place. It is located after the stomach and just before the large intestine. The small intestine comprises three parts, viz. duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Small intestine, as the name goes, is lesser in diameter (about 2.5 cm) than the large intestine. Nevertheless, the length of the small intestine of an adult human measures about 7 meters, which is about five times that of the large intestine.

Maintaining a healthy digestive system is essential for carrying out normal digestion and other metabolic processes. The small intestine, though relatively healthy, is also susceptible to various problems. To mention a few, commonly diagnosed small intestine problems include blockage, infections, tumors, celiac disease, and short bowel. Each of these cases impairs the digestion process and disturbs normal absorption of nutrients, resulting in various symptoms.

Small Intestine Problems: Explained

While speaking about the problems of small intestine, most people report obstruction in this portion and infection by harmful bacteria. Accordingly, the symptoms of small intestinal disorders and severity of the conditions may vary from one patient to another. For your understanding, following is a list of small intestinal conditions along with the manifested symptoms.

Small Intestine Blockage
Blockage in the small intestine or small bowel obstruction can be caused due to external pressure, tumors, or presence of large foreign bodies. Whatever be the cause, an obstruction in small intestine hampers the normal passage of fluids and waste products to the digestive tract. Manifested symptoms of blockage in the small intestine include stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, abdominal swelling, and tenderness.

Small Intestine Infections
Infection in the small intestine is mostly caused by bacteria or virus. Usually, it occurs due to ingestion of contaminated food and drinks. If infected by virus, it is called viral gastroenteritis. At times, infectious organisms may be transmitted from other internal parts of the body. Intestinal infection symptoms are loss of appetite, stomach cramps, constipation, and diarrhea.

Crohn's Disease
Crohn's disease is caused due to the body's autoimmune response which affects the digestive tract, resulting in inflammation. Based on the location of inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, the complications of Crohn's disease may vary. Some of the noticeable symptoms include weakness, stomach irritation, diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, and at times, skin problems.

Celiac Disease
Celiac disease (or coeliac disease) is an autoimmune disease that affects the small intestine. Patients of celiac disease are hypersensitive to specific forms of glycoprotein and gluten protein. Upon exposure to these specific proteins, inflammation and damage of the intestinal lining occur, thus leading to nutrient malabsorption and irregular bowel movement.

Small Intestine Cancer
One of the life-threatening diseases of small intestine is cancer. The worst fact is that the symptoms of small intestine cancer are usually vague and manifest at the later stages. Hence, early diagnosis of this small bowel cancer is very difficult. Common symptoms of small intestine cancer include sharp abdominal and intestinal pain, significant weight loss, and increased weakness.

Short Bowel Syndrome
Short bowel syndrome, commonly referred to as short gut, is caused due to malfunctioning of a large portion (about two-thirds) of the small intestine. At times, short gut is manifested after surgical removal of the small intestine. The main symptom of short gut is malabsorption of the nutrients, which in turn, results in several other health complications, like, fatigue, malnutrition, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

This was an overview about the common small intestine problems. Scientific research is ongoing to minimize the risk of intestinal problems and improve the overall digestive health of people in general. The thumb rule for maintaining a problem-free small intestine is to eat a well-balanced diet, perform regular exercise, and follow healthy lifestyle habits.