Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 14, 2026
08:42
Using Multi-fluorinated Bile Acids and In Vivo Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Measure Bile Acid Transport
Published on: November 27, 2016
Diarrhoea due to small bowel diseases.
Joseph A Murray1, Alberto Rubio-Tapia
1Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Murray.joseph@mayo.edu
Best Practice & Research. Clinical Gastroenterology
|February 7, 2013
Summary
Small intestinal diseases, often overlooked, cause diarrhea and malabsorption. Conditions like celiac disease and environmental enteropathy damage the small bowel mucosa, requiring careful evaluation and management for better patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Internal Medicine
- Pathology
Background:
- Small intestinal diseases are a frequent cause of diarrheal illness.
- Conditions such as celiac disease and environmental enteropathy impact the small bowel mucosa.
- Diarrhea and malabsorption are common consequences of these mucosal injuries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the significance of small intestinal mucosal diseases as a cause of diarrhea.
- To emphasize the need for systematic evaluation of these conditions.
- To underscore the importance of targeted management for related malnutrition and deficiencies.
Main Methods:
- Review of common and less common small intestinal mucosal diseases.
- Discussion of diagnostic challenges due to the inaccessibility of the small intestine.
- Emphasis on clinical features suggestive of small intestinal disease.
Main Results:
- Small intestinal mucosal diseases, including celiac disease and environmental enteropathy, affect a significant population.
- Malabsorption secondary to mucosal injury leads to malnutrition and nutrient deficiencies.
- Various immunodeficiency states and drug-associated enteropathies require specific therapies.
Conclusions:
- Small intestinal mucosal diseases are a critical, often underdiagnosed, cause of diarrhea.
- Systematic evaluation is essential for identifying and treating these conditions.
- Prompt diagnosis and targeted management are crucial for addressing malabsorption and associated complications.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction
Chronic bowel diseases are a group of long-term conditions affecting the digestive tract, characterized by inflammation and damage to the gut lining. These conditions primarily include irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
01:18Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Antimicrobials as Antidiarrheal Agents
Acute diarrhea, a common gastrointestinal disturbance, is characterized by the rapid evacuation of fluid stools, leading to an excessive weight in fluid. This condition typically arises from disorders affecting intestinal water and electrolyte transport. It can be triggered by an increased osmotic load within the intestine, excessive secretion of electrolytes and water, mucosal exudation of protein and fluid, or altered intestinal motility. The primary risks of acute diarrhea are dehydration...
01:26Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of chronic disorders marked by recurrent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract due to an abnormal immune response against gut microflora. This leads to tissue damage. The two main forms are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.Crohn’s DiseaseCrohn’s disease is a relapsing inflammatory disorder that can affect any part of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus. It involves all layers of the bowel wall (transmural) and shows “skip lesions” in which...
01:18Bacterial Gastroenteritis
Bacterial gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, is often caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and is frequently associated with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. These microbes exploit two principal mechanisms to inflict disease.Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, also referred to as STEC—notably O157:H7—release Shiga toxins that target ribosomes, blocking protein synthesis. The B subunit of the toxin binds the host glycolipid receptor...
01:23Irritable Bowel Syndrome
DefinitionIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by recurrent combinations of abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation.Pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndromeIts pathophysiology is multifactorial, involving disturbances in motility, sensory processing, microbial balance, barrier integrity, and gut–brain communication. These mechanisms interact to produce symptoms that vary across IBS subtypes.Altered Motility PatternsDisordered...
01:20Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Adsorbents as Antidiarrheal Agents
Diarrhea is characterized by the occurrence of frequent, watery bowel movements. Various factors can trigger diarrhea, including viral or bacterial infections, foodborne illnesses, side effects from certain medications, and underlying digestive disorders. If not adequately managed, diarrhea can lead to complications such as dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and nutrient deficiencies. Severe diarrhea can lead to significant weight loss, malnutrition, and weakened immune function.
Adsorbents...
Adsorbents...