How can a person live without the small intestine?

Answer 1

According to the flag report, you can live without a small intestine and on an IV drip. However, it is arguable that you cannot live a normal life without a small intestine, as otherwise you are constantly attached to an IV.

Answer 2

When there is not enough small bowel for absorption of proper nutrients, survival can be an issue, but it is possible to live with this condition, with modifications to lifestyle and diet.

People can and do survive with most or even all of the small intestine removed but their lives can significantly altered from normal. If someone is born with a very short small bowel or those who have to have portions of the small bowel removed because of disease or injury need to monitor their nutrition to remain healthy. In addition, there are many potential opportunities for serious infections or other complications inherent in the condition or in its treatment.

The types of foods eaten often must be adjusted to provide high calorie intake taken in frequent small amounts. Since a shortened small intestine means that not enough nutrients are able to be absorbed, malnutrition and weight loss are a constant concern. Those with this condition often have anemia with Vitamin B12 and iron deficiencies. These must be supplemented along with most other vitamins and minerals and essential nutrients.

Total parental nutrition (TPN) is a method of providing sustenance from a liquid containing all necessary nutrients for life that is dripped directly into the blood vessels so that the person can get enough calories and nutrition to live. The downside is that with each "feeding" the risk of infection, from bacterial introduction into the circulatory system from the tubing and needles used for the TPN administration, is increased. Septicemia (blood poisoning) is a common complication which is also difficult for those with malnutrition to overcome with an immune system that relies on good nutrition for proper function.

There are medicines used that slow down the motility (motion of the food in the GI tract/peristalsis) so that the food spends more time in the bowel, allowing for more absorption of nutrients.

Sometimes the bowels can not absorb enough, or due to the type of condition or complications it is not possible to allow foods and wastes to pass through the small intestine or large intestine, or both, and then the foods and wastes must be re-routed outside the body for elimination. A colostomy or ileostomy is used in these situations.

A colostomy is a permanent or temporary opening into the large intestine through the abdomen (it is called an ileostomy if it applies to the small intestine) which is created by a surgeon. A removable, disposable bag is attached to the newly-created exterior opening (stoma) to permit sanitary collection and disposal of bodily wastes. The average adult small bowel is 19.5 feet. Any or all of it can be removed.

Answer 3

yes you can