 | | | Click on the two buttons above to compare normal digestion to
digestion with CF.
(A) After food is broken down by enzymes, nutrients are normally absorbed from the intestine,
(B) Into the blood stream,
(C) With CF the absorption is
impaired by the presence of thick secretions. |
| | |
Small Intestine
Normal Function
The main job of the small intestine is to absorb nutrients. It is actually made up of three parts––the duodenum, the jejunum, and the ileum. Cells involved in digestion and absorption make mucus, digestive enzymes, and hormones. The inside of the small intestine absorbs nutrients. Abnormal Function in Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis also affects the small intestine. Since fat is not easily broken down by CF patients, fat cannot be absorbed by the small intestine. The particles are too large. The absorption of vitamins A, B12, D, E, and K is also affected in CF patients because these vitamins need to dissolve in fat to enter the intestine. Without these vitamins, CF patients may become undernourished. Often, a CF patient’s small intestine cannot neutralize stomach acid. If the acidic stomach contents erode the lining of the small intestine, peptic ulcers may form. Large Intestine
Normal Function
The large intestine reabsorbs water from the GI tract, and is also where feces, or waste products, are formed. The large intestine spans the perimeter of the abdomen. Distal Intestinal Obstruction Syndrome
The large intestine does not function the right way in CF patients. Incompletely digested proteins, sugars and fats, and decreased water content result in very thick feces which can get stuck and block the intestines. Patients may feel abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Physical exam and X-rays of the abdomen can diagnose any blockages. Treatment depends upon how bad the obstruction is.
 |
