Short Bowel Syndrome Care in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is a condition where the small intestine cannot absorb enough nutrients, fluids, and electrolytes to support normal health. This often happens after a large portion of the small intestine is removed due to disease, injury, or birth defects.

In Grand Rapids, Michigan, short bowel syndrome is typically managed by gastroenterology and nutrition teams at major health systems such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health. These centers work closely with local resources like the Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health to support long‑term nutritional and medical care.

Because Michigan has long, cold winters and seasonal illnesses are common, people in Grand Rapids with short bowel syndrome need especially careful monitoring for dehydration, vitamin D deficiency, and infection risk.

What Is Short Bowel Syndrome?

Short bowel syndrome occurs when the small intestine is too short or too damaged to absorb nutrients properly. This can be due to:

  • Surgical removal of a large part of the small intestine
  • Damage from disease (such as Crohn’s disease)
  • Abnormal development of the intestine before birth

Normally, food passes from the stomach into the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine), where it mixes with digestive enzymes. It then moves through the jejunum and ileum, where nutrients are absorbed through millions of tiny finger-like projections called villi. Each villus is supplied by small blood vessels (capillaries) that carry nutrients into the bloodstream.

In short bowel syndrome, there is not enough healthy small intestine, or it does not function properly, leading to malabsorption.

Causes of Short Bowel Syndrome

In Infants and Children

In West Michigan, including Grand Rapids, the most common causes of short bowel syndrome in infants include:

  • Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)

    • Often affects premature babies
    • Blood flow to the intestinal wall is reduced, causing death of the intestinal lining
    • The dead tissue must be surgically removed, which may leave the baby with a very short intestine
    • Even with advanced neonatal care at Grand Rapids hospitals, about one‑third of babies with severe NEC may not survive

  • Congenital malformations of the intestine

    • The intestine does not develop normally before birth
    • Sections may be missing, narrowed, or twisted
    • Surgery is usually required soon after birth at regional centers such as Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids

In Adults

In adults in Grand Rapids and across Michigan, common causes of short bowel syndrome include:

  • Crohn’s disease

    • A chronic inflammatory disease that can affect any part of the digestive tract
    • When it affects the small intestine, it can damage the bowel wall and interfere with absorption
    • Repeated surgeries to remove diseased sections can eventually leave the person with short bowel syndrome

  • Traumatic injury

    • Severe abdominal trauma from car accidents, farm accidents, or industrial injuries (all relevant in West Michigan) may require emergency bowel surgery

  • Ischemia (lack of blood flow)

    • Blood clots or blocked arteries can cut off blood supply to sections of the intestine
    • Dead segments must be removed surgically

  • Tumors or other severe diseases

    • Some cancers or benign growths of the small intestine may require extensive surgical removal of bowel

Symptoms of Short Bowel Syndrome

Symptoms can vary depending on how much small intestine is missing or damaged, and which section is affected. Common symptoms include:

  • Chronic diarrhea
  • Abdominal pain or cramping
  • Stools that float, are oily, or have a particularly bad odor (steatorrhea)
  • Unintended weight loss
  • Bloating and gas
  • Fluid retention or swelling (edema)
  • Extreme fatigue and weakness

In Grand Rapids, cold winters and dry indoor heating can worsen dehydration in people with ongoing diarrhea, so it is especially important to monitor fluid intake during winter months.

Nutrient Deficiencies and Complications

Because the small intestine is the main site of nutrient absorption, people with short bowel syndrome are at high risk of deficiencies, including:

  • Calcium
  • Folate
  • Iron
  • Magnesium
  • Vitamin B12
  • Zinc
  • Fat‑soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K)

Possible Complications of Malnutrition

  • Anemia (often from iron, folate, or B12 deficiency)
  • Osteoporosis or osteopenia (thin, weak bones), especially concerning in Michigan where limited winter sunlight can reduce vitamin D levels
  • Impaired growth and development in children
  • Skin rashes and unusual skin sensations (tingling, numbness)
  • Severe fatigue and low energy
  • Dehydration, which may require IV fluids, especially during stomach flu outbreaks common in winter
  • Increased susceptibility to infections

Intestinal Adaptation After Bowel Surgery

The small intestine has a remarkable ability to adapt after surgery, especially in children. This process is called intestinal adaptation.

After a section of the small intestine is removed and the healthy ends are reconnected:

  • The remaining intestine can dilate and enlarge
  • The villi become longer and larger, increasing the surface area for absorption
  • Peristalsis (the movement of food along the intestine) slows down, giving more time for nutrients to be absorbed

Researchers believe certain nutrients, such as the amino acid glutamine, play an important role in cell regeneration and adaptation after bowel resection.

Despite this adaptation, some people will still have ongoing malabsorption and require long‑term support from a gastroenterologist and nutrition team. In Grand Rapids, these specialists are available through major hospital systems and associated outpatient clinics.

How Is Short Bowel Syndrome Diagnosed?

If a person in Grand Rapids has had major bowel surgery or has symptoms such as severe diarrhea, weight loss, and fatigue, doctors may suspect short bowel syndrome.

Common diagnostic tests include:

  • Detailed medical history and physical exam
  • Blood tests
    • To check for anemia, electrolyte imbalances, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and signs of dehydration
  • Stool (poop) examinations
    • To assess fat content, infection, and digestion problems
  • Imaging tests (X‑rays, CT scans, or MRI)
    • To look at the structure and length of the remaining intestine
  • Endoscopy and intestinal biopsies
    • To examine the intestinal lining and look for inflammation, damage, or other conditions such as celiac disease or Crohn’s disease

Many of these tests can be done at hospital‑based diagnostic centers in Grand Rapids or through outpatient gastroenterology clinics.

Treatment for Short Bowel Syndrome in Grand Rapids

Short bowel syndrome that does not improve with intestinal adaptation often requires lifelong management. The main goals are to:

  • Maintain adequate nutrition and hydration
  • Support normal growth and development in children
  • Promote healthy weight and activity levels in adults
  • Prevent or treat complications such as infections, kidney problems, and bone loss

Treatment plans are individualized and may include:

1. Nutrition and Diet

  • Special high‑calorie diet
    • Foods high in calories and protein to maintain weight and muscle mass
  • Low‑fat diet (in some cases)
    • Reducing fat intake if fat absorption is poor and causing diarrhea
  • Low‑residue diet (in severe cases)
    • Limiting high‑fiber foods that are harder to digest
  • Small, frequent meals
    • Eating 5–6 smaller meals per day can improve absorption and reduce symptoms
  • Oral rehydration solutions
    • Special fluids containing the right balance of salts and sugars to prevent dehydration, especially important during hot Michigan summers or dry heated winters

Registered dietitians in Grand Rapids, often affiliated with Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health, play a key role in crafting and adjusting these diets.

2. Vitamin and Mineral Supplements

Because of poor absorption, many people with short bowel syndrome need lifelong supplements, which may include:

  • Iron, folate, and vitamin B12
  • Calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D
  • Zinc and other trace minerals
  • Fat‑soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K)

Some supplements may need to be given by injection or intravenous (IV) if oral forms are not absorbed well.

3. Medications

Common medications used in short bowel syndrome include:

  • Medications to slow peristalsis
    • Help slow the movement of food through the intestine, allowing more time for absorption and reducing diarrhea
  • Bile salt‑binding medications
    • Help manage diarrhea caused by unabsorbed bile acids
  • Medications to reduce stomach acid
    • If too much stomach acid is contributing to malabsorption or discomfort
  • Antibiotics (when needed)
    • To treat bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine

These medications are usually managed by a gastroenterologist based in Grand Rapids.

4. Intravenous (IV) Nutrition

In more severe cases, especially soon after surgery:

  • Parenteral nutrition (PN) may be required
    • Nutrients and fluids are delivered directly into a vein
    • This can be short‑term or long‑term, depending on how well the intestine adapts

Patients who need long‑term IV nutrition are often followed closely by specialized nutrition support teams at Grand Rapids hospitals, with periodic lab checks and monitoring for complications such as liver problems or line infections.

5. Small Intestine Transplant

For a small number of people with very severe short bowel syndrome who cannot be managed with diet, medications, and IV nutrition, a small intestine transplant may be considered.

  • These operations are becoming more common, but they are still major procedures
  • The small intestine contains a large amount of lymphoid tissue, so there is a significant risk of organ rejection
  • Patients require powerful immunosuppressive drugs and lifelong follow‑up
  • Transplants are typically done at highly specialized centers; Grand Rapids gastroenterologists can help coordinate referrals to regional transplant programs in Michigan or neighboring states

Living With Short Bowel Syndrome in Grand Rapids

Managing short bowel syndrome in West Michigan involves:

  • Regular follow‑up with a primary care provider and gastroenterologist
  • Ongoing support from a dietitian experienced in complex intestinal disorders
  • Monitoring bone health, especially in a northern climate with limited winter sunlight
  • Planning for seasonal changes—staying hydrated in both humid summers and dry, heated winters

Because infections and dehydration can become serious quickly, many patients are advised to seek prompt care at urgent care centers or emergency departments at Grand Rapids hospitals if they notice:

  • Marked increase in diarrhea
  • Signs of severe dehydration (dizziness, very dry mouth, little or no urine)
  • Fever or chills
  • Sudden abdominal pain

Local and National Resources

Local Grand Rapids Resources

  • Your Primary Care Provider (PCP)
    • First point of contact for ongoing monitoring and referrals
  • Gastroenterology Clinics in Grand Rapids
    • Available through Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health
  • Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health
    • Information on nutrition, vaccinations, and infection prevention
    • Support programs for families managing chronic illness

National Support

  • Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation (U.S.)
    • Information and support for people with Crohn’s disease, which is a leading cause of short bowel syndrome in adults
  • Online communities and support groups for short bowel syndrome and intestinal failure patients and caregivers

Key Points About Short Bowel Syndrome

  • Short bowel syndrome occurs when the small intestine cannot absorb nutrients properly, often after major surgery or from severe disease.
  • In adults, common causes include Crohn’s disease and traumatic injury.
  • In infants, necrotizing enterocolitis and congenital malformations are major causes.
  • Symptoms include chronic diarrhea, unintended weight loss, abdominal pain, and extreme fatigue.
  • Complications from malnutrition can include impaired growth in children, anemia, osteoporosis, skin problems, and increased infection risk.
  • Treatment in Grand Rapids usually involves a combination of specialized diet, supplements, medications, IV nutrition, and in rare cases, small intestine transplant.
  • With coordinated care from Grand Rapids healthcare providers and careful long‑term management, many people with short bowel syndrome can maintain good quality of life.