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According to the flag report, you can live without a small intestine and on an IV drip. However, it is arguable that you cannot live a normal life without a small intestine, as otherwise you are constantly attached to an IV.

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7y ago
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9y ago

When there is not enough small bowel for absorption of proper nutrients, survival can be an issue, but it is possible to live with this condition, with modifications to lifestyle and diet.

People can and do survive with most or even all of the small intestine removed but their lives can significantly altered from normal. If someone is born with a very short small bowel or those who have to have portions of the small bowel removed because of disease or injury need to monitor their nutrition to remain healthy. In addition, there are many potential opportunities for serious infections or other complications inherent in the condition or in its treatment.

The types of foods eaten often must be adjusted to provide high calorie intake taken in frequent small amounts. Since a shortened small intestine means that not enough nutrients are able to be absorbed, malnutrition and weight loss are a constant concern. Those with this condition often have anemia with Vitamin B12 and iron deficiencies. These must be supplemented along with most other vitamins and minerals and essential nutrients.

Total parental nutrition (TPN) is a method of providing sustenance from a liquid containing all necessary nutrients for life that is dripped directly into the blood vessels so that the person can get enough calories and nutrition to live. The downside is that with each "feeding" the risk of infection, from bacterial introduction into the circulatory system from the tubing and needles used for the TPN administration, is increased. Septicemia (blood poisoning) is a common complication which is also difficult for those with malnutrition to overcome with an immune system that relies on good nutrition for proper function.

There are medicines used that slow down the motility (motion of the food in the GI tract/peristalsis) so that the food spends more time in the bowel, allowing for more absorption of nutrients.

Sometimes the bowels can not absorb enough, or due to the type of condition or complications it is not possible to allow foods and wastes to pass through the small intestine or large intestine, or both, and then the foods and wastes must be re-routed outside the body for elimination. A colostomy or ileostomy is used in these situations.

A colostomy is a permanent or temporary opening into the large intestine through the abdomen (it is called an ileostomy if it applies to the small intestine) which is created by a surgeon. A removable, disposable bag is attached to the newly-created exterior opening (stoma) to permit sanitary collection and disposal of bodily wastes. The average adult small bowel is 19.5 feet. Any or all of it can be removed.

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13y ago

yes you can

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Q: How can a person live without the small intestine?
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Related questions

Would a person be able to live normally without the small intestine?

Nope, not a chance


How can you live without the small intestine?

You can't.


How long can a person live without a small intestine?

how ever long god wants them to live. god can do miracles and we have to believe in them


How many organs can you live without?

you can live without your bladder lungs small intestine


Can a person live without lager intestine?

no they cannot


Can a person live without a small intestine why or why not?

Yes, humans can live without a small intestine. See the related question below for how this can be accomplished. Also see the discussion section of this question for an interesting account of how one person managed to do this and the complications experienced.


What probabilities are there to live when a person has a car accident and they hurt their large intestine?

90 percent because it is possible to live without your intestine.


Can you get intestines transplant?

If you mean, "can you live without your large intestine?" then yes, you can. One must wear a Colostomy bag to collect the waste that leaves the small intestine. The large intestine also plays a small role in reabsorbing water and ions, so one would have to make sure they are not getting dehydrated or experiencing symptoms of low ion concentrations. If you mean "with only small intestine -- no stomach, etc.", then no, you cannot.


Can baby live with no large and small intestine?

If a child is born without a large intestine it cannot live obviously, where else would it's waste be transported through?


Se puede vivir sin el intestino delgado?

It means, "you can live without your small intestine"


Is there a transplant for crones?

There is no transplant for Crohn's disease. (The large intestine is never transplanted since you can live without it. The small intestine can be transplanted, but it does not cure Crohn's disease).


Side effects of removing the large intestine?

The removal of a person's large intestine is called a "colectomy". When it is removed, the end of the small intestine (where the large intestine would normally be joined on to) is then bought to the outside surface of the person's abdomen (normally next to the navel), where it is stitched in place and a colectomy bag is then attached to collect waste material. (Yes, the colectomy bag is outside the person's body). A person can live quite healthily without a large intestine - it is not necessary for life, just useful.