A condition which occurs in cases of diverticulosis or of Crohn’s disease, with steatorrhoea, abdominal pain and megaloblastic anaemia.
Condition resulting from an undesirable change in the anatomy of the small intestine where a loop is formed in which intestinal contents enter but cannot leave.
A condition resulting from alterations in the structure of the intestine. In blind loop syndrome, one or more nonfunctioning segments of intestine are created either inadvertently or purposely by a surgical procedure. For example, a blind loop occurs following a partial removal of the stomach. Blind loop syndrome can also be present at birth.
A condition in which a segment of the small intestine (e.g. a bypassed loop or a large jejunal diverticulum) is out of continuity with the rest of the intestine or in which progress of contents through the small intestine is delayed by an obstruction (such as a stricture or Crohn’s disease) that allows an overgrowth of bacteria, causing malabsorption and the passing of fatty stools.
A disorder in which abnormal faeces occur as a result of a redundant loop in the small intestine. The loop obstructs the normal flow of the contents of the bowel, causing stagnation. The syndrome is characterised by light-yellow, smelly, fatty, bulky faeces. The patient suffers from tiredness, malaise and loss of weight. Previous abdominal surgery is sometimes the cause, but the condition can be inherited. Blockage of intestinal contents upsets the bowel’s normal bacterial balance and hinders the normal absorption of nutrients. Treatment is either with antibiotics or, if that fails, surgery.
A condition caused by intraluminal growth of bacteria in the upper portion of the small intestine. Conditions associated with this syndrome are anatomical lesions that lead to stasis such as diverticula or surgically created blind loops; diseases associated with motor function of the small intestine; and any condition that decreases gastric acid secretion. The syndrome is diagnosed by the clinical signs and symptoms of malabsorption and the use of breath tests for detecting overgrowth of bacteria in the intestine.
Blind loop syndrome refers to a condition where a redundant or dead-end section of the small intestine becomes inhabited by bacteria. These bacteria break down bile salts, which are essential for the absorption of fats and certain vitamins. As a result, there is inadequate absorption of fats, leading to abnormal feces. Blind loop syndrome can occur following surgery or due to a stricture (narrowing) in the intestine caused by a disorder like Crohn’s disease. Its characteristic symptoms include steatorrhea (pale yellow, foul-smelling, fatty, bulky stools that are difficult to flush away), fatigue, and weight loss. Treatment with antibiotic drugs is generally effective, but the condition may recur if the underlying abnormality cannot be corrected.