As of: March 28, 2024, 9:38 a.m
By: Judith Braun
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The small intestine plays an important role in digestion and nutrient absorption. If it has to be shortened or removed, short bowel syndrome occurs.
The German comedian Tony Bauer (28) is taking part in the current “Let's Dance” season and tells
RTL
about his story of suffering: The comedy star suffered from so-called short bowel syndrome as a child. “I no longer have a small intestine. At the age of nine, my small intestine died in my body,” says Bauer in an interview with the TV station. You can find out here what the disease is all about and what symptoms are typical.
Short bowel syndrome:
Tony Bauer impresses with his cheerful charisma on “Let's Dance”. Now he revealed how much his illness actually affects him and why every appearance can become a danger for him. © IMAGO / Future Image & IMAGO / Future Image
According to the results of a study published in the specialist magazine
Der Chirurg,
short bowel syndrome is not a very rare disease. According to the medical manual
MSD Manual
, the condition usually occurs after a large portion of the small intestine is surgically removed. If part of the small intestine has to be removed, there can be various reasons. These include, for example, a blocked artery, intestinal inflammation as a result of radiation, birth defects, a twisted intestinal loop or diseases such as cancer and Crohn's disease. According to the website
Kurzdarmsyndrom.at,
the following symptoms are typical of the disease:
Diarrhea (main symptom)
Stomach cramps
Flatulence
Nutrient deficiency
fatigue
severe weight loss
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Treatment of short bowel syndrome: Why does the “Let's Dance” star wear a backpack?
A healthy adult needs about four meters of small intestine for digestion to function smoothly. If part of the small intestine has to be removed, short bowel syndrome occurs. © blickwinkel/IMAGO
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Depending on how much of the small intestine and where part of it was removed, different, individual symptoms arise. Each section of the small intestine has a specific function in digestion and nutrient absorption. As a rule, a shortened intestine is associated with a nutrient deficiency. Patients are therefore often treated with artificial (also called parenteral) nutrition. Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) contains all the necessary nutrients as well as proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals. Some of those affected recover and are then able to take oral fluids, for example. Other patients, however, require TPN for life.
Tony Bauer is also artificially fed. That's why the comedian usually carries a backpack with a tube on him. Without this, the 28-year-old couldn't survive. “I am constantly fed through a catheter – an implant in my chest with a tube hanging out of it. And there is astronaut food. This astronaut food goes directly into all the blood vessels in order to bypass the organs,” the comedian explains to
RTL
.
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It in no way replaces a visit to the doctor. Our editorial team is not allowed to answer individual questions about medical conditions.