Villi are vulnerable to damage by diseases likeceliac diseaseandinflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Such damage can causemalabsorptionwhich, in turn, can lead tomalnutrition,vitamin deficiency, and other health concerns.
Agastroenterologistmay be needed to diagnose and treat these digestive disorders.
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Villi are extremely small, ranging from 0.5 to 1 millimeters in length (0.02 to 0.04 inch).
They are densest at the beginning of the small intestine and begin to thin out toward the end.
The mucus membranes also containLieberkuhn glandsthat secrete digestive enzymes that help break down food.
Each villus has a central core called alactealthat contains a data pipe of tiny blood vessels, calledcapillaries.
The capillaries absorb the nutrients and transport them to the larger circulatory system.
These tiny projections sway back and forth freely, which is thought to enhance absorption.
Chorionic Villi
The small intestine is not the only organ lined with villi.
There is another key in calledchorionic villithat lines the lumen of theplacenta.
Conditions That Can Damage Villi
Intestinal villi are delicate structures that are vulnerable to injury.
People with malabsorption often experiencediarrhea, which can make malabsorption worse.
With diarrhea, food moves too quickly through the intestine for nutrients to be absorbed.
Celiac Disease
Celiac diseaseis the most common cause of villous atrophy.
Symptoms of celiac disease include:
Celiac disease is mainly treated with agluten-free diet.
Villous atrophy seen in small bowel Crohn’s disease.
This accumulation triggersinflammationwhich can damage the lining of the intestine and lead to villous atrophy.
Symptoms of SIBO include:
SIBO is treated withantibiotics, such as Xifaxan (rifaximin) and neomycin.
Medications
Certain medications can damage the lining of the small intestine and lead to villous atrophy.
When discontinuation is not possible, oralcorticosteroids(steroids) may be used to reduce intestinal inflammation.
Giardiasis
Giardiasisis a gastrointestinal infection because of a parasite calledGiardia intestinalisthat lives in soil and water.
Infection takes place if foods and liquids you eat are contaminated with the parasite.
The risk of infection is higher for travelers to countries with poor sanitation whereG.
Giardiasis is treated with the antibioticFlagyl (metronidazole).
Around 30% to 40% of people in the United States haveH.
pylori.It is mainly passedthrough the saliva of someone with the bacteria.
Most infections occur during childhood.
pyloriinfection include:
Villous damage caused byH.
H. pyloriinfections are hard to treat and typically require multiple antibiotics, including Flagyl, to erase the infection.
Multiple treatments are often needed.
Symptoms of EATL include:
Severe cases can lead tointestinal perforationandhemorrhage(bleeding).
Certain diseases can cause damage to villi, leading to villous atrophy.
Among the culprits include celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, SIBO, giardia,H.
pylori, and enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma.
Certain medications can also cause villous atrophy.
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