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Blind Loop Syndrome - Causes

Causes Of Blind Loop Syndrome

The breaking down and absorption of nutrients takes place in the small intestine.  Connecting the stomach with the large intestine, the small intestine is the place where food mixes with digestive juices from the stomach, pancreas, liver and gallbladder, and where nutrient molecules, amino acids from proteins, and mono-saccharides from carbohydrates and fats, are absorbed into the bloodstream.  Unlike the large intestine which has millions of bacteria to help break down indigestible fiber, the small intestine has relatively few microorganisms as it is rich in enzymes and does not need the enzymatic action of bacteria.  Stomach acid and secretions from the liver and pancreas act as antibacterial agents, and the strong muscular contractions which propel food through the small intestine prevent bacteria from colonizing there.  With blind loop syndrome however, food can not move through the bypassed section of intestine and the stagnant food becomes an ideal breeding ground for microorganisms, a condition called bacterial overgrowth syndrome.  Bacteria can produce toxins as well as interfere with the absorption of nutrients.  Typically, the greater the length of small bowel involved in the blind loop, the greater the degree of bacterial overgrowth.

Blind loop syndrome can be caused by:

Complications of abdominal syndrome - procedures which may inadvertently cause a blind loop include gastric bypass surgery for obesity, and surgical gastrectomy for treating peptic ulcers and stomach cancer.

Structural abnormalities of the small intestine - structural problems in or around the small intestine may lead to bacterial overgrowth.  Some examples of such defects, which can be either inherited or results of surgery, infection or injury include bands of scar tissue on the outside of the bowel, and small bulging pouches of tissue which protrude through the intestinal wall.

Bacterial overgrowth associated with certain medical conditions - Chron's disease, scleroderma and diabetes are associated with an increased risk of a blind loop.

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