The small intestine is the digestive system organ that connects the stomach and large intestine. Digestion and absorption of nutrients takes place in this organ, which is about 7 meters long. The small intestine is located in the mid-lower part of the abdominal cavity.
What are Small Intestine Diseases and Symptoms?
Problems that can be seen in the small intestine, which undertakes many tasks in the body with the hormones it secretes and the immune system elements it contains:
- Bleeding,
- Inflammation,
- Infection,
- Obstruction (obstruction),
- Inflammatory bowel disease,
- Celiac disease,
- Can be counted as cancer.
What is Small Intestinal Bleeding?
Bleeding originating from the small intestine is approximately one of all gastrointestinal (digestive) system bleedings. It makes up 5%.
Bleeding can be rapid or slow. In slow bleeding, the amount of blood in the stool may not be at a visible level. The most common cause of slow bleeding is anemia. In cases where bleeding occurs rapidly, the stool may have a tarry black appearance.
Abnormal vessels in the small intestine are the most common cause of small intestinal bleeding. Crohn's disease, which is one of the inflammatory bowel diseases, benign or malignant tumors, ulcers are among the other causes of bleeding.
The incidence of abnormal vessels in the small intestine has increased in patients with chronic kidney disease and heart valve disease. In addition, the use of drugs belonging to the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drug group may cause ulcer formation in the small intestine.
The first examination to determine the source of bleeding is endoscopy. In cases where endoscopy is insufficient to find the source, enteroscopy, capsule endoscopy, and computed tomography can be used. In cases where it is not possible to find the source with all the methods listed, enteroscopy is performed under surgical conditions. It is important to determine the treatment method depending on which condition the bleeding occurs. Rarely, inc with a vein e, surgical removal of the bowel may be considered. In tumor-related bleeding, if the tumor causes severe bleeding, it should be removed. Tumors that cause a small amount of bleeding may not be removed. Bleeding due to ulcers and Crohn's disease can be treated with medication.
Small Intestinal Inflammation and Infections
Inflammation of the small intestine is also called enteritis. Inflammation can sometimes be seen in the stomach and large intestine.
Enteritis; Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, pain in the rectum and bleeding or stool containing mucus, fever may occur.
The most common cause is due to viral or bacterial infection. In addition, enteritis; It can also develop in association with drugs, alcohol, and radiation. Crohn's disease can also cause enteritis.
The patient's history is of great importance when diagnosing enteritis. It is investigated whether enteritis is caused by infection by looking at the infection markers in blood and biochemical tests. Patients with mild enteritis may not need treatment. Since enteritis will cause water and mineral loss with diarrhea, patients should consume plenty of fluids and take minerals. In severe enteritis patients, hospitalization may be required to restore serum, water and mineral balance. Discontinuation of radiation therapy may be considered in those with enteritis due to radiation therapy used in the treatment of diseases such as cancer.
Small Intestine Obstruction
Foods travel a long way through the digestive system. Along this path, organs are in constant and regular motion. This movement allows food to move through the digestive tract. Small bowel obstruction causes this movement to stop. Intestinal obstruction can be partial or complete. Food, drink, stomach acid and gas accumulate in the area in front of the blocked part of the intestine. The pressure exerted by these accumulated substances on the intestinal wall can cause the intestine to rupture (perforation). In this case, the intestinal contents diffuse into the abdominal cavity. Intestinal perforation is a life-threatening condition.
Main symptoms are;
- Excessive bloating,
- abdominal pain,
- loss of appetite,
- nausea,
- vomiting,
- gas and stool� � inability to pass,
- constipation or diarrhea,
- cramp,
- abdominal swelling.
Physical examination, blood test and biochemical tests, X-ray film (X-ray), computed tomography and colonoscopy methods can be used in diagnosis. The severity of the obstruction is an important factor when making a treatment plan. In the case of partial obstruction, resting the intestines for a while and providing intravenous nutrition may be sufficient, while surgical intervention may be required in cases where the obstruction is complete and the obstruction causes complications.
Celiac Disease
Celiac disease, gluten It is the immune (immune) response to the consumption of foods containing protein. Consumption of gluten-containing foods causes an excessive immune response. As a result of this response, the villus structure, which increases the surface area of the small intestine and plays a major role in the absorption of nutrients, is damaged. As the damaged villi lose their function, problems arise in the absorption of nutrients.
For detailed information about celiac disease, what is Celiac Disease? You can read our article.
Symptoms;
- Diarrhea or constipation,
- weakness,
- weight loss,
- bloating,
- gas,
- abdominal pain are among the most common symptoms.
Celiac disease can be seen in babies who switch from breast milk to supplementary food, as well as stressful periods such as trauma, giving birth, or undergoing surgery� It may occur in people who have passed.
Serological tests, in which the presence of antibodies against gluten are investigated, are used in the diagnosis. Endoscopy and capsule endoscopy can be helpful in demonstrating the deteriorated villus structure due to Celiac disease. The only method of treatment is to avoid foods containing gluten.
Cancer of the 12 Finger Intestine (Duodenum) is a special region where the small intestine is located right after the stomach, the pancreas, the biliary tract and the stomach. If the tumor structure grows in this area, jaundice and bleeding symptoms are seen more quickly. In addition, involuntary weight loss, loss of appetite and other digestive system findings such as indigestion and bloating accompany. definitive diagnosis is made.
Small Bowel Cancer
Small bowel cancer is a rare type of cancer. Cancers in the small intestine can be of different types. Common types of cancer;
- adenocarcinoma
- neuroendocrine tumors
- lymphoma
- sarcoma.
- Abdominal pain,
- jaundice,
- nausea,
- vomiting,
- weakness,
- weight loss,
- blood in stool,
- watery diarrhea,
- skin redness is among the symptoms that can be seen in small intestine cancers.
Risk Factors: Genetic factors, intestinal diseases such as Crohn's and Celiac, weakened immune system are risk factors for cancer.
Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging among radiological methods for diagnosis Imaging methods such as imaging (MRI), PET, barium radiography (the method in which a series of films are taken by making the patient drink barium liquid) and nuclear medicine scans can be used. Tools such as endoscopy, capsule endoscopy, single and double balloon endoscopy can be used to see the inner surface of the intestine. In cases where the tumor cannot be seen with imaging techniques and endoscopic methods, the tumor location is tried to be determined by closed (laparoscopic) or open surgical procedures.
Small bowel cancer treatment is determined by the type and stage of the cancer. It is aimed to completely remove the cancerous tissue, if possible, with the surgical method.
Chemotherapy is preferred in cases where the tumor cannot be surgically removed or the cancer is likely to recur. Immunotherapy is a treatment method that consists of drugs that help the immune system fight cancer. It can be used in advanced small bowel cancers.
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