Short Bowel Syndrome with Intestinal Failure (SBS-IF)

Digestive & Liver

Overview
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Research
Resources
Stories & Profiles

Overview

Short bowel syndrome with intestinal failure is a condition where individuals cannot absorb nutrients properly because they lack parts of their small intestine. These parts may have been surgically removed, missing since birth or damaged and unable to function properly.

At A Glance

Digestive & Liver condition

Common Signs And Symptoms

Greasy Foul Smelling Stool And Diarrhea
Malnutrition And Weight Loss
Abdominal Pain And Swelling Edema
Fatigue
Dehydration
Persistent Heartburn

People with short bowel syndrome may experience a variety of symptoms including:

Diagnosis Journey

For individuals showing signs and symptoms of short bowel syndrome, doctors may conduct the following tests to confirm a diagnosis:

Blood testsPhysical examinationsStool examination (fecal fat test)X-ray or CT scan of abdomenEndoscopyColonoscopy

Treatment Options

Learn more about the treatment options available to reduce symptoms and effectively manage SBS-IF.

Nutritional Support

01PN(Parenteral nutrition)Liquid nutrition given through a catheter or needle inserted through a vein in the arm, groin, neck or chest.
02Enteral nutritionNutrition through a feeding tube placed in the stomach.
03Electrolyte solutions (orally or through IV)
04Vitamin and mineral supplements
05Special diets

Medications

There are recommended drugs to help manage symptoms of short bowel syndrome with intestinal failure. These medications can help reduce diarrhea, improve intestinal absorption after surgery, and help control stomach acid.

Here’s a list of medications that may help treat SBS-IF:

06H2 Blockers (or H2 AntagonistsThese medicines, which are usually taken orally, reduce the amount of acid that is produced by the stomach in order to maintain a healthy amount of mucus in the barrier between the stomach acid and lining. Too much acid can result in an ulcer.
07Choleretic AgentsThese promote bile production in the liver. Bile is a thick fluid that is needed to digest fats and absorb nutrients.
08Bile-salt BindersBile salts irritate the colon lining, causing it to secrete water, resulting in diarrhea. Bile-salt binders can trap these salts in feces to prevent the irritation of the intestinal lining, therefore decreasing the amount of salt in the GI tract. They can also bind to and stop certain vitamins from being absorbed by the body and causing diarrhea.
09Hypomotility AgentsThese substances decrease the speed that food travels through the intestine, leading to more time for nutrient absorption.
10Growth Hormones and TeduglutideGrowth hormones aid in intestinal absorption of water, electrolytes, and nutrients, reducing the need for parenteral nutrition. Teduglutide is a medication given through injection. It uses glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) analogs to increase nutrient absorption in the intestinal tract.

Ongoing Research

Short bowel syndrome with intestinal failure is a rare disease that requires more effective treatment options. In order to find these new treatments for SBS-IF, further research is necessary.

Current Research Studies

There are approximately 18 short bowel syndrome research studies that are actively recruiting participants. Visit Clinicaltrials.gov to find SBS research studies near you.

Research & Resources

Clinical research helps scientists learn more about Short Bowel Syndrome with Intestinal Failure (SBS-IF) and develop better treatments for the future.