Intestinal Failure

What is Intestinal Failure?

Intestinal Failure arises when the gastrointestinal tract is unable to absorb sufficient nutrients from food and people require intravenous feeding (Parenteral Nutrition). Intestinal Failure can be due to short bowel syndrome, if you have had a lot of your intestine surgically removed because of disease and there just isn’t enough intestine left to perform the necessary digestion and absorption. It can also occur due to widespread dysmotility of the gut, chronic obstruction, extensive diseases affecting the lining (enteropathies) or congenital problems.

How Do I Know if I Have Intestinal Failure?

Intestinal Failure is a rare condition and you would usually be diagnosed with it by a clinician. You may have problems such as diarrhoea or very high losses from a stoma, and weight loss. You may also have symptoms related to dehydration, such as thirst, fatigue, poor urine output or symptoms related to specific nutrient deficiencies. If you think you have unrecognised Intestinal Failure, we can assess you for this.

How Is Intestinal Failure Managed?

We use the phrase Intestinal Rehabilitation to describe the holistic management of someone with Intestinal Failure. You will likely need some form of intravenous support – for some people this is receiving fluid and electrolytes (salts needed in our blood) whereas some will need almost all of their nutrition given intravenously. Bags of parenteral nutrition contain fluid, protein, carbohydrates, fats and various vitamins and minerals to substitute what you would usually get from food.

We also manage your symptoms, such as diarrhoea, with medication. Over time, some adaptations can occur within the intestine and we aim to maximise these positive changes with appropriate dietary advice and medications. Some people may be suitable for growth factor treatment, which can be used to reduce or even stop the parenteral nutrition over time.

Why Does King’s Have an Intestinal Failure Clinic?

Kings College Hospital in Dubai has physicians and surgeons who are experts in the management of Intestinal Failure and Intestinal Rehabilitation. We work closely with doctors from many other specialties within the hospital and we have experienced dietitians, pharmacists and nursing staff who all work collaboratively to ensure the best outcomes and quality of life for our patients.

We have strong working links with the two National Intestinal Failure Units in the UK (Salford Royal in Manchester and St Mark’s Hospital, London) and with centres all over the world.