NUTRITION MANAGEMENT OF SHORT BOWEL SYNDROME

NUTRITION MANAGEMENT OF SHORT BOWEL SYNDROME

Short Bowel Syndrome can be challenging to manage nutritionally. If you have increased calories and added bulk foods to your diet, reduced foods that can cause loose stools and diarrhea, and you are still experiencing weight loss and irregular bowel movements, you may need to take a medical nutrition management approach to ensure your best health and wellness.

Some Practical Nutrition Help Can Include:

High Calorie Nutritional Shakes

Those with Short bowel syndrome often need extra calories.   Nutritional shakes are a great way to add extra calories if you are unable to meet your increased caloric needs from food alone.

Many companies manufacture shakes designed for patients with short bowel syndrome and malabsorption. They are packed with calories, protein, and extra vitamins and minerals.  Different types of shakes include: elemental or semi-elemental (protein and fats are specially designed to be easier to absorb) or table food blends.

Feeding Tubes

 A feeding tube can help deliver nutrients if you are having trouble eating or drinking.  Feeding tubes can provide any of the shakes or a diet of blended foods for different situations:

  • Overnight feeding (while sleeping) for extra calories
  • Short feedings (called boluses) to replace or add to a meal if you or your child can't eat enough 
  • Slower, continuous feeds throughout the day

Of note,

  • Feeding tubes don't have to get in the way of most activities
  • Feeding tubes can reduce reflux in those with GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)

Intravenous (Parenteral) nutrition

In severe cases of short bowel syndrome where the intestine is unable to absorb enough or tolerate healthy foods or formulas, intravenous nutrition (sometimes called total parenteral nutrition or TPN) may need to be used.  This form of nutrition is an effective way to support gain weight and make sure you are getting all the protein, calories and nutrients you need, but it comes with some additional risks:

  • severe bloodstream infections
  • blood clots near the intravenous catheter 
  • mechanical malfunctions
  • liver disease

Because of these risks, it is important to use parenteral nutrition carefully and wean patients off their IVs when possible.

This article, as well as all others, was reviewed and edited by a member of our Medical Advisory Board.

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