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 signifies, is much 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. Here's more on facts about digestive system.

Maintaining a healthy intestinal system is essential for carrying out the normal digestion and other metabolic processes. The small intestine, though relatively healthy, is also susceptible to various problems. To mention a few, some of the small intestine problems include blockage, infections, tumors and other diseases. Read more on intestinal parasites in humans.

Small Intestine Problems

While speaking about the problems with small intestine, most people report obstruction in the small intestine and infection by harmful bacteria. Accordingly, the symptoms of small intestine problems and severity of the conditions may vary from one patient to another. Following is a list of small intestine disorders:

Small Intestine Blockage: Blockage in 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 small intestine include stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, abdominal swelling and tenderness. Read more on intestinal blockage symptoms.

Small Intestine Infections: Infection in the small intestine is mostly caused by bacteria or virus. Usually, it occurs due to ingestion of contaminated foods 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 a autoimmune disease that affects the small intestine. Patients of celiac disease are hypersensitive to specific forms of glycoprotein and gluten protein. On exposure to these specific proteins, inflammation and damage of the intestinal lining occurs, thus leading to nutrient malabsorption and irregular bowel movements.

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 small intestine cancer is very difficult. Common symptoms of small intestine cancer include sharp abdominal and intestinal pain, significant weight loss and increased weakness. Read more on intestinal pain after eating.

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 of the common small intestine problems. Scientific research is on to minimize the risk of intestinal problems and improve the overall digestive heath 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.