The Big Story of Our Small Intestine

Have you ever wondered what happens to the food we eat after it reaches our stomach? We think that the job is done when it reaches our stomach. But the real story begins there. After our stomach, this food goes on a long journey. The most important and longest stop on that journey is the small intestine. Although it may be called 'small' in name, the work it does for our body is very big. In fact, the healthy existence of our entire body depends on the functioning of this small intestine. So today, let's talk about this little hero.

What actually happens in the small intestine?

Simply put, the small intestine is our body's nutritional factory. It has three main functions.

1. Further liquefying food: After the partially digested, thick porridge-like food mixture from the stomach reaches the small intestine, it becomes very liquid due to the various digestive juices and enzymes that accumulate here. Bile, which is produced by our liver and stored in the gallbladder, and digestive enzymes from the pancreas help a lot in this task.

2. Absorption of nutrients: All the nutrients that our body needs, such as vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, that are now in the liquid form of food, are absorbed into the body's bloodstream here. This is the most important thing that the small intestine does. If this job is not done properly, no matter how good the food we eat, the body will not receive any nutrition.

3. Sending the rest to the large intestine: Another of its duties is to push the indigestible waste, that is, waste, that remains after all the nutrition has been absorbed, to the next stop, the large intestine. It is only then that the waste leaves the body as feces.

Where is this small intestine located? How big is it?

The small intestine is located inside our abdominal cavity, coiled up like a nice big ball of yarn. The large intestine is located around this small intestine.

Despite its name, the "small" intestine is actually the longest part of our digestive system. The small intestine of an average adult is about 22 feet long . Think about it, that's about twice the length of a room in an average house! It's amazing how such a long tube can be found inside our stomachs, isn't it?

And so is its surface area. The inner wall of the small intestine is not smooth. It has millions of very fine projections, like fingers. We call these villi. These give it a very large surface area for absorbing nutrients. In fact, if you spread out the inner wall of the small intestine, it would be about the size of a tennis court !

But this one is a little smaller in width. It's about 2 centimeters, which is about the same size as your index finger. It's called the "small intestine" because it's long but small in width.

The three main parts of the small intestine

To make this long journey easier, the small intestine is divided into three parts. Each part has a specific job to do. Let's look at this table to understand this clearly.

What are the common conditions that affect the small intestine?

This important organ of ours can also be affected by various medical conditions, some of which you may have heard of.

• Celiac disease: An allergic reaction of the body to gluten, a protein found in grains such as wheat and barley.
• Crohn's disease: A long-term inflammatory condition that can occur anywhere in the digestive system.
• Enteritis: Inflammation of the intestines caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Conditions we commonly refer to as 'stomach ache' or 'food poisoning'.
• Gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors: These are a rare type of cancer.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): A condition characterized by alternating episodes of abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea, without any apparent underlying disease.
• Malabsorption: The inability of the intestines to absorb nutrients properly.
• Peptic ulcer disease: Sores that form in the stomach or the beginning of the small intestine.
• Small bowel obstruction: A blockage in the small intestine due to some reason.
• Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO): An overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine that normally resides in the large intestine.

Symptoms that can indicate a problem with the small intestine

When the small intestine is dysfunctional, our body displays various signs and symptoms. If one or more of these persist, it is worth taking note of.

How does a doctor diagnose a small intestine problem?

When you complain of symptoms like these, your doctor will examine you and refer you for various tests if necessary depending on your symptoms.

Blood and Lab Tests

• Complete Blood Count (CBC): Check for conditions such as anemia.
• Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP): Checks things like body salts and kidney function.
• Urinalysis
• Stool tests: Check for infections and blood.
• Tests for specific diseases: If conditions such as celiac disease or Crohn's disease are suspected, specific blood tests are done for those conditions.

Imaging Tests

These tests allow the doctor to see what is happening inside the intestines.

• Capsule Endoscopy: This is a capsule, like a vitamin capsule, with a tiny camera attached to it. You swallow it. It records video of the inside as it moves through your intestines.
• CT Scan (Computed Tomography Scan): This can produce detailed cross-sectional images of the intestines and other abdominal organs.
• Upper Endoscopy: Examination of the stomach and the beginning of the small intestine using a thin tube with a camera inserted through the mouth.
• Enteroscopy: Examination of a longer portion of the small intestine using a longer tube than an endoscope.

What are the treatments for small bowel diseases?

Treatment options depend on your specific condition, which can vary from person to person.

• For example, if you have celiac disease , you will have to avoid foods containing gluten (like bread, pasta, and cakes) for the rest of your life.
• In the case of peptic ulcers , the doctor prescribes medications that reduce stomach acid and heal the ulcers in the intestines.
• In serious cases, such as a small bowel obstruction , surgery may be required to remove the blockage.

Things we can do to keep the small intestine healthy

There are some simple, good habits we can follow to maintain gut health, as well as our overall health.

• Good diet: Eat a diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, and whole grains . Reduce processed foods, high-fat foods, and foods high in sugar. If necessary, you can add prebiotics and probiotics to your diet by asking your doctor or a nutritionist.
• Drink plenty of clean water: Drinking the required amount of water throughout the day helps in the digestion process. It is best to drink clean water instead of carbonated drinks and drinks with high sugar content.
• Get enough sleep and rest: Our body's cells repair themselves while we sleep. Getting a good night's sleep not only strengthens our immune system, but is also very important for gut health.
• Manage stress: Excessive stress can aggravate conditions like IBS and Crohn's disease. You can reduce stress by doing things like meditation, yoga, and engaging in hobbies.
• Stay active: Daily exercise improves blood circulation in the body. It is also good for the intestines. Exercise helps regulate gut motility and helps prevent conditions like constipation.

Finally, the small intestine, although small in name only, is a giant that maintains our entire body. It takes hours to do that big job. It can take about 6 hours to fully digest a single meal, absorb nutrients, and send waste to the large intestine. So, it is our responsibility to take care of this precious organ.

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