What is SMA Syndrome?
All About SMA Syndrome! |
What is Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome?
Superior Mesenteric Artery (SMA) Syndrome is classified as a gastro-vascular disorder in which the duodenum is compressed by the superior mesenteric artery and the aorta. The angle between the superior mesenteric artery and aorta should be anywhere from 38 degrees to 65 degrees. Mine was 8 degrees. It is one of the rarest gastrointestinal disorders with only about 500 cases recorded in the English language. How does someone get SMA Syndrome? SMA Syndrome can either be acute/induced or chronic/congenital. The acute version is caused by a dramatic trauma incident like scoliosis surgery or sudden and extreme weight loss. The chronic form is found in people who have a history of abdominal issues, a lanky body build, a small fat pad between the superior mesenteric artery and aorta, or a shortened ligament of Treitz, which holds up the duodenum between the superior mesenteric artery and aorta. It is suspected that I have the chronic/congenital form of SMA Syndrome. Looking back at my childhood, although I was very healthy, I had to focus on eating healthier than most other kids my age in order to not feel ill. I also suffered from constant constipation as a toddler. Those were both slight hints that I had SMA Syndrome. Also, during my second surgery it was discovered that I had scar tissue on my duodenum, most likely caused by my duodenum being compressed for an extended period of time. I did not show any symptoms until February 8th, 2016, when I started suffering from stomachaches. On February 16th, 2016, I developed what was thought to be the stomach flu, and after that my weight spiraled down and my symptoms of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and satiety did not cease. Is SMA Syndrome an eating disorder? SMA Syndrome is not an eating disorder. An eating disorder is where someone has a mental illness that causes him or her to not eat or to instead eat and then vomit in order to lose weight. SMA Syndrome is a physical obstruction that prevents one from holding down food and liquids
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