Identification

• In patients with SMA, the artery blocks the duodenum partially, causing pain and other symptoms of abdominal distress.
  
  

Considerations

• Patients typically experience increased symptoms immediately following meals. According to NetWellness, blood flow increases at this time, causing the artery to swell, which worsens the blockage.
  
  

Misconceptions

• This condition may initially be misdiagnosed as anorexia, due to abdominal discomfort and symptoms such as premature satiety.
  
  

Diagnosis

• According to the "Bombay Hospital Journal," superior mesenteric artery syndrome may be difficult to diagnose. A doctor may first have to run a magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and CT scan.
  
  

Treatment

• In severe cases, an individual suffering from SMA may require surgery. According to the "Journal of General Internal Medicine," a more conservative treatment option for milder cases is to teach the patient postures to use at mealtime.
  
  

History

• SMA was first diagnosed in 1861 by Carl von Rokitansky, according to the "Bombay Hospital Journal."