Treatment is aimed at relieving of symptoms.

A high-calorie and low-residue diet supplying essential vitamins and minerals is necessary. Anemia is treated with vitamin B12, folic acid, and increased dietary iron. Medications may be given to lengthen the time nutrients spend in the small intestine.

Parenteral nutrition (tube feeding through a vein or stomach tube) is often necessary if normal feeding is not delivering enough nutrients. Once the patient has stabilized, however, a return to normal eating may be tried.

The condition may improve over time if it occurs as a result of surgery. Improvement of nutrient absorption and lengthening of food's transit time through the intestine usually occurs with recovery from surgery.

• Weight loss
• Malnutrition
• Pernicious anemia
• Combined systems disease (degenerative changes in the spinal cord and nerves due to vitamin B12 deficiency)
• Gallstones
• Bacterial overgrowth
• Metabolic acidosis (d-lactic acidosis)
• Kidney stones

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms suggestive of short bowel syndrome develop, particularly if you have recently had bowel surgery.