Comprehensive Causes And Risk Factors For Blind Loop Syndrome

Scleroderma

An individual who has a disorder called scleroderma is at an increased risk of developing blind loop syndrome. Scleroderma is best described as a group of disorders where the connective tissues and the skin abnormally tighten and harden. It is a progressive, long-term disease that gets gradually worsens. In individuals who have this disease, the immune system attacks its own connective tissues resulting in an excessive collagen overproduction. This causes fibrosis or thick scarring of the tissues. The digestive system is the second most commonly affected system in scleroderma patients. A major complication of this disease is problems with proper dilation and relaxation of blood vessels. As a result, organs and nerves in the digestive system often end up with an insufficient supply of blood. The poor blood supply leads to less mechanical movement and progressive weakening of the muscles that stimulate digestive tract movement. Consequently, food is not propelled properly throughout the gastrointestinal system. The food then stagnates or completely stops at some point in the intestines, and this can trigger blind loop syndrome.

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Fistulas In The Bowels

An individual with fistulas in the bowels is at an elevated risk for developing blind loop syndrome. A fistula is a term describing an irregular connection between two separate epithelial superficies that allows for their contents to leak between them. The bowel can be connected through a fistula in the gut or intestine to the bladder, vagina, urethra, abdominal membranous sac, and the skin. Fistulas can develop as a complication from Crohn's disease, cancer, pancreatitis, and peptic ulcer disease. Fistulas can also be a result of an injury or trauma to the abdominal region. Fistulas result in what should be the normal flow of food through the intestines to bypass the portion of the bowel that follows the fistula. This can easily result in the manifestation and uninhibited growth of bacteria in the intestine and subsequent development of blind loop syndrome. The risk of developing blind loop syndrome has a compounding effect with every additional fistula present in the gastrointestinal tract after the initial one.

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