The superior mesenteric artery is one of the major arteries from the aorta (your body’s main artery). The main artery is pretty muscular and may hinder food movement through the small intestine.

Moore has a rare disease called Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome (SMAS), which affects 0.013% of the population by some estimates. The consequences are severe and eventually fatal if not resolved.

Alvarenga A, Espinheira C, Guerra P, et al. Superior mesenteric artery syndrome: weight loss can be a problem, weight gain can be a solution. GE Port J Gastroenterol. 2017;24:43-46.

Some people are first diagnosed with other vein conditions, like superior mesenteric artery syndrome or median arcuate ligament syndrome. Can nutcracker syndrome go away on its own?

Atherosclerosis causes 95% of chronic mesenteric ischemia cases. It is a buildup of plaque in the artery walls that causes them to narrow, restricting blood flow.

In a 2018 study from Turkey, 17 of the 22 study participants received a celiac artery bypass, while 21 received a superior mesenteric artery bypass. This means most people received both.

Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome is a rare type of compression of the small intestine. It’s treatable, but late diagnosis can lead to worse symptoms.