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Malabsorption - Malabsorption symptom, treatment, causes

Malabsorption is a condition in which defective absorption of nutrients from the small intestine, Ma1absorption may result from a hereditary lack of digestive enzymes; disorders of the pancreas such as CYSTIC FIBROSIS or chronic PANCREATITIS; COELIAC DISEASE; chronic inflammatory conditions of the small intestine such as CROHN'S DISEASE; infections such as GIARDIASIS; obstruction to the flow of bile (which digests fats) from the liver; disorders that cause food to pass through the small intestine too quickly; or removal of a large part of the small bowel.

Symptoms of ma1absorption indude diarrhoea;weight loss; paleness and tiredness from ANAEMIA; and disorders due to vitamin deficiency (see VITAMINS). If the underlying cause cannot be corrected, infravenous feeding may be needed

Malabsorption is a clinical term that encompasses defects occurring during the digestion and absorption of food nutrients by the gastrointestinal tract. It has many different potential causes. Malabsorption may occur if a disorder interferes with the digestion of food or if a disorder interferes directly with the absorption of nutrients. It may involve fat and fat-soluble vitamins ( A , D , E and K ) it may also affect vitamin B12 folic acid iron protein and carbohydrates. Diarrhea is often present clinically although this may not be the immediate cause for seeing a physician. There are over 100 different conditions that can lead to problems in absorbing food, most of which are rare. Some of the more common malabsorption syndromes are due to bacterial or parasitic infections Crohn's disease , celiac disease , ulcerative colitis , liver disease (including cirrhosis , hepatitis , and gallstones ) cystic fibrosis , lactose intolerance , chronic pancreatitis, specific medications that affect the intestines, or surgery of the stomach or bowels. The four conditions that most often lead to malabsorption in the United States are lactose intolerance , celiac disease, Crohn's disease, and chronic pancreatitis.

Malabsorption is difficulty in the digestion or absorption of nutrients from food. Malabsorption is not a disease by itself, but rather the result of some other condition that is present. GGM is characterized by severe diarrhea and dehydration as early as the first day of life and can result in rapid death if lactose (milk sugar), sucrose (table sugar), glucose, and galactose are not removed from the diet. Another factor that can interfere with nutrient absorption is maldigestion, which is due to impaired digestion of nutrients within the intestinal lumen or at the terminal digestive site of the brush border membrane of mucosal epithelial cells. Digestion can be affected by disorders that prevent adequate mixing of food with digestive enzymes and acid from the stomach. For example, a common cause of malabsorption is insufficient production of digestive enzymes by the pancreas, as occurs with some pancreatic diseases, or by the small intestine, as occurs in lactase deficiency.Absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream can be affected by disorders that injure the lining of the small intestine. The normal lining consists of small projections called villi and even smaller projections called microvilli, which create an enormous surface area for absorption. Disorders that affect the remaining layers of the intestinal wall, such as blockage of the lymph vessels by lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic system) or poor blood supply to the small intestine, also reduce absorption.

Causes of Malabsorption

The common Causes of Malabsorption :

• Coeliac disease
• Insufficiency of the pancreas (e.g. after pancreatitis or in cystic fibrosis ) .
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) .
• Crohn's disease
• Surgery that alters or reduces the length of the intestinal tract.
• Sucrose intolerance
• Absence or low levels of certain digestive enzymes.

Symptoms of Malabsorption

Some Symptoms of Malabsorption :

• Weight loss.
• Avoiding specific foods .
• Weakness.
• Bloating and gas.
• Chronic diarrhea .
• Frequent diarrhea and foul-smelling stools.
• Growth failure.
• Diarrhea.

Treatment of Malabsorption

• Treatment varies by diagnosis but may include dietary restrictions and medications such as anti-diarrheals, antibiotics, or enzyme replacements.
• Corticosteroids, anti-inflammatory agents, such as mesalamine, and other therapies are used to treat regional enteritis.
• Protease and lipase supplements are the therapy for pancreatic insufficiency.