Your digestive system breaks down the food you eat so your body can use it for fuel. Food moves from your stomach into your small intestine. There, nutrients are absorbed. The excess food is pushed into the colon and leaves the body as waste.
In blind loop syndrome, food is not able to follow the normal digestive route. Instead, it bypasses a section of your intestine.
Blind loop syndrome is also called:
Stasis syndrome
Stagnant loop syndrome
Bowel bypass syndrome.
Blind loop syndrome is often due to an overgrowth of bacteria in the intestine. This forces food to route around it. Because of the "blind loop" that is formed, the small intestine is shorter than normal. The intestines can’t properly absorb nutrients. They are instead passed out of your body in waste.
Blind loop syndrome often occurs as a complication of abdominal surgery. The most common type of surgery that causes this is bowel-shortening surgery for obesity. In this surgery, part of the intestine is purposely bypassed.
Digestive problems may also trigger blind loop syndrome. It may occur as a complication of:
Diverticulitis
Peptic ulcer disease
Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and colitis)
Other conditions or medicines that delay movement of nutrients through the intestine.
One of the main symptoms of blind loop syndrome is unexplained weight loss. This occurs when your small intestine can't digest food and absorb nutrients. When your body isn’t getting the nutrients and fat it needs, weight loss occurs.
If severe bacterial overgrowth occurs it can rarely inflame your intestinal lining. And in a few cases the intestinal bacteria can get into the blood. This bacterial infection can cause:
Fever
Arthritis-like joint pain
Skin rash or red bumps on the skin
Inflamed tendons
Muscle pain or aches
Poor absorption of nutrients and poor nutrition can cause a number of symptoms, such as:
Frequent diarrhea
Nausea or vomiting
Belly (abdominal) swelling from fluid buildup
Swelling of the legs
Belly pain and cramping
Stools that seem loose and fatty
Fatigue or weakness
Gas and bloating
Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms, your medical, surgical, and family history. He or she will request tests to test for nutrient absorption, anemia, or to rule out other conditions. Tests may include:
Blood tests to check for infections and nutrition status
Breath tests to look for bacterial overgrowth
Tests to check organ function
Test to check for inflammation in the body
Exam of stool for fecal fat, stool culture, parasites, white blood cells
Imaging tests to evaluate the intestinal anatomy
Possible colonoscopy or upper endoscopy to evaluate the intestinal lining
Healthcare providers can treat blind loop syndrome. You will likely take antibiotics. A short course of corticosteroids to reduce inflammation may also help control symptoms.
Sometimes you need surgery to remove the infected area. If obesity surgery caused blind loop syndrome, your surgeon may do another surgery to fix the problem.
If left untreated, blind loop syndrome may lead to poor nutrition. But even early on, blind loop syndrome can cause a lack of vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin B 12 and iron.
If you notice any symptoms of blind loop syndrome, it's important to tell your healthcare provider. Be aware of the condition if you’ve had abdominal surgery or have a digestive disease such as inflammatory bowel disease. Blind loop syndrome can be treated. But if nutrients can’t be absorbed, it can cause serious health problems.
Blind loop syndrome occurs when food doesn't follow the normal digestion route and bypasses a section of your intestine.
It can be caused by abdominal surgery, diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease, peptic ulcer disease, or an infection.
One of the main symptoms of blind loop syndrome is unexplained weight loss. Gas and bloating are common from bacterial overgrowth.
Other symptoms include fever and infection-type symptoms, and diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain and swelling.
Blind loop syndrome is usually treated with antibiotics. Surgery may also be needed.
Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:
Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen.
Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you.
At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you.
Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed, and how it will help you. Also know what the side effects are.
Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways.
Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.
If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.
Know how you can contact your provider if you have questions.