Is It Possible to Live Without a Stomach?
We can go on living without some of our organs. The absence of some of these makes life very difficult, but when medical measures work, we can survive without these organs. Although the absence of organs such as pancreas, kidney and spleen requires regular medical support and negatively affects daily life in some ways, it is not as difficult as the absence of some other organs. We can live without our stomach. If you want to know the interesting details about how this is possible, read on.
What could be the reasons for having to live without a stomach?
It is possible to treat many stomach diseases. Many stomach ailments are treated, sometimes with simple procedures such as medication, and sometimes with more complicated interventions, such as removing part of the stomach. However, in the case of diffuse gastric cancer caused by the mutation of the CDH1 gene, the removal of the entire stomach, not a part of it, comes to the fore. The most important reason for this is the spread of cancerous cells to the whole stomach as soon as the cancer starts. Moreover, it is not easy to diagnose early. Therefore, there is no guarantee of getting rid of cancer cells completely by removing a part of the stomach. Therefore, the preferred method is to completely remove the stomach.
The journey of food in our digestive system under normal conditions; It starts in the mouth, continues its journey by passing through the esophagus to the stomach and from there to the small intestine. When the stomach is taken, the journey is shortened. Food passing through the esophagus is transferred to the small intestines by the duodenum.
Life Without a Stomach
It may have seemed impossible that the function of the stomach could be performed by the duodenum. However, the extraordinary adaptability of the human body allows a person whose stomach has been completely removed to return to normal life.
Patients who are fed intravenously for a few weeks after the surgery can return to their normal nutritional program in a short time if there is no disruption in the healing process. Since any leakage at the incision sites of the surgery can have fatal consequences, patients stay in the hospital for several weeks after the surgery. It is not easy for the patient to be fed with normal foods at the beginning. Although the beginning is a troublesome process, the patient must overcome this troublesome process in order to return to his normal diet.
After the transition period, most foods can be consumed again. However, since digestion is not as fast and effective as in the stomach, smaller meals are recommended. In addition, most people with a full stomach need nutritional supplements such as vitamin pills.
Most people who have their stomach removed lose weight after surgery. For this reason, it is important to get the calories that the body needs, even if it is troublesome. In addition, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals support the healing process. After stomach removal surgery, the tendency to develop gallstones and osteoporosis (bone loss) may increase. As in all traumatic events, great attention should be paid to the body after gastric removal surgery.
Within 30-60 minutes after a meal, these patients may experience general stomach discomfort such as stomach cramps, nausea and sometimes even vomiting.
After about 2 hours, a sudden rise in blood sugar may occur. Sudden rise in blood sugar can cause high blood pressure, sweating and confusion of consciousness.
The most important effect in mitigating these two negative conditions is that the meals consist of as small portions as possible, but in some cases, appropriate adjustments are made in the nutrition program for the patient.
Within a year or two, as the body is better adapted to life without a stomach, patients can return to their normal lives, provided that they maintain appropriate eating habits.
