Short Bowel Syndrome with Intestinal Failure (SBS-IF)

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.

Greasy, foul-smelling stool and diarrhea

Malnutrition and weight loss

Abdominal pain and swelling (edema)

Fatigue

Dehydration

Persistent heartburn

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

Blood tests
Physical examinations
Stool examination (fecal fat test)
X-ray or CT scan of abdomen
Endoscopy
Colonoscopy

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

Nutritional Support

Parenteral nutrition (PN): Liquid nutrition given through a catheter or needle inserted through a vein in the arm, groin, neck or chest.

Enteral nutrition: Nutrition through a feeding tube placed in the stomach.

Electrolyte solutions (orally or through IV)

Vitamin and mineral supplements

Special 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:

H2 Blockers (or H2 Antagonists: These 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.

Choleretic Agents: These promote bile production in the liver. Bile is a thick fluid that is needed to digest fats and absorb nutrients.

Bile-salt Binders: Bile 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.

Hypomotility Agents: These substances decrease the speed that food travels through the intestine, leading to more time for nutrient absorption.

Growth Hormones and Teduglutide: Growth 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.

Surgery

In some cases, surgery may be recommended for those with SBS-IF. Some of the surgery options include:

Surgery to slow the passage of nutrients through the intestine.

Procedure to lengthen the intestine.

Intestinal transplant, which is a surgery to replace damaged small intestine with a healthy small intestine from a donor.

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

Featured Study

Learn More

Resources

Find an online community of fellow patients, caregivers, and advocates below
as well as some other general resources!

Short Bowel Syndrome Foundation Families Group

Created by the Short Bowel Syndrome Foundation Inc., this group is for those who have or have a child with Short Bowel Syndrome.

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Short Bowel Syndrome Support Group

This is a support group for SBS patients and family members.

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Short Bowel Foundation Adult Support

Created by the Short Bowel Syndrome Foundation Inc., this group is for anyone who has or knows of a young adult/adult with SBS and is seeking community and support, and information from others living with short bowel syndrome.

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Short Gut Syndrome Patient, Family, and Professional Collaboration

A group to improve communication and collaboration about SBS by discussing treatments, therapies, and personal experiences.

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Short Bowel Syndrome Foundation

The Short Bowel Syndrome Foundation was created as a resource to help patients, family members, and healthcare professionals learn about short bowel syndrome. The site has multiple materials on SBS to help patients gain more control of both their condition and the quality of their lives.

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Oley Foundation

The Oley Foundation is a national non-profit organization that aims to improve the lives of those with parenteral nutrition and tube feeding through education, advocacy, and networking. The Foundation has a variety of programs and information regarding nutritional care available.

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The Gutsy Perspective

The Gutsy Perspective is a research project for the SBS community to gain perspectives from children, parents and adult patients on living life with short bowel syndrome or intestinal failure.

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The Mighty | My Journey with Short Bowel Syndrome

Read this story about an individual's journey with short bowel syndrome.

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Social Security Disability Insurance

Check out this website for more information on disability resources for individuals with short bowel syndrome.

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Integrating Psychosocial Supportive Care into the Clinical Management of Short Bowel Syndrome (SBS)

Learn more about continuing education, tools, and resources available for physicians, psychologists, social workers, and other mental health care professionals who support patients with short bowel syndrome.

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