Small Intestine Conditions
Celiac Disease
In a normal body, the body can process gluten without issue. In people with celiac disease, the immune system forms antibodies to gluten that attack the intestinal lining. This causes intestinal inflammation which can prevent the intestines from absorbing nutrients from food. Depending on your condition, consuming gluten may cause diarrhea, gas, bloating, weight loss, and fatigue.
Blood tests, screenings, or an intestinal biopsy may be used to identify this condition. The only treatment for celiac disease is a gluten-free diet (no wheat, rye, or barley).
Duodenal Ulcers
Duodenal ulcers are one of the two forms of peptic ulcers. Duodenal ulcers are sores that form in the upper small intestine.
Peptic ulcers may be detected via a physical exam, blood tests, CT scans, or an upper endoscopy. Treatment for duodenal ulcers depends on the cause and the severity of symptoms. Options include medications, endoscopic therapy to stop bleeding during an upper endoscopy, or surgery if medication or endoscopic therapy does not work.
Malabsorption Syndrome
Malabsorption syndrome is when the body cannot absorb nutrients, vitamins, and minerals into the bloodstream from the food you eat. This can be caused by a variety of different disease or conditions.
Your doctor may check for malabsorption syndrome by using tests to measure fat in stool samples, tests to measure malabsorption of specific nutrients such as vitamins, or a biopsy. Treatment for malabsorption includes both providing nutritional support and treating the disease affecting your intestinal tract.
