WHAT IS SHORT BOWEL SYNDROME?

Tatyana Hofmekler, MD, MSc

Some Crohnies (those with Crohn's disease) need surgery to remove parts of the terminal ileum and colon. Over the years, more than one surgery may need to be done. That can mean that more (and more) of the intestine is removed. The result is a shorter intestine than nature intended. The short intestine is often known as short bowel or short gut. When food passes through a shortened intestine, it doesn't have the time or the surface to absorb food properly.  Eventually, poor absorption (known as malabsorption) can lead to nutritional deficiencies (malnutrition). The presence of a short gut and malabsorption is known as Short Bowel Syndrome (SBS).

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