How does intestinal failure affect the body

When the small intestine is missing, the body cannot absorb water, vitamins, and other nutrients from food to sustain life. Motility disorder, such as gastroparesis, is a common cause of intestinal failure.

Intestinal failure occurs when your intestines can't digest food and absorb the fluids, electrolytes and nutrients essential to live.

Think of your body as a machine and your intestines are gears. When the gears stop moving, your body stops working. Intestines play a key role in your body’s function and without them you inevitably die.