What Is Malabsorption Syndrome?
Due to various reasons, nutrients, especially fat, cannot be fully absorbed by the small intestine, which leads to symptoms such as diarrhea, malnutrition, and weight loss. It is called malabsorption syndrome.
Basic Information
- English name
- malabsorption syndrome
- Visiting department
- Nutrition
- Common causes
- Insufficient bile or pancreatic juice secretion, small bowel movement disorders, small bowel blood circulation or lymphatic circulation disorders, etc.
- Common symptoms
- Diarrhea, malnutrition, weight loss, etc.
Causes of malabsorption syndrome
- Insufficient secretion of bile or pancreatic juice, excessive reproduction of bacteria in the small intestine, dyskinesia of the small intestine, blood circulation or lymphatic circulation in the small intestine, and pathological changes in the small intestine itself.
Clinical manifestations of malabsorption syndrome
- Symptoms
- Most patients have diarrhea. The number of bowel movements varies from several to more than ten, and diarrhea and abdominal pain are the main symptoms of this disease. Diarrhea is usually "fatty diarrhea". Fatty diarrhea is characterized by a large amount of stool, light brown or yellow, gray, it does not form, smells bad, and has an oily luster or foamy surface, because it contains a lot of fat. , So stool can often float on the surface of the potty. Due to insufficient absorption, malnutrition leads to weight loss and fatigue.
- 2. Signs
- Patients may have signs of weight loss, mild tenderness in the abdomen, paresthesia in the extremities of the limbs, glossitis or ulcers, pellagra-like discoloration, edema, concave nails, muscle tenderness, and clubbing fingers (toes).
Malabsorption syndrome test
- Most have large cell anemia, and serum electrolytes, plasma albumin, cholesterol, and even folic acid and vitamin B 12 levels are reduced. Fecal fat quantitative> 6g / d, dextrose absorption test <3g, vitamin B12 absorption test <8% -10%. When the intestinal flora is imbalanced, [14] the C-glycine acid breath test is positive. Gastrointestinal barium meal should pay attention to whether the intestinal tract is dilated, effusion and barium agent deposit "wax tube" sign, endoscopic examination to observe changes in the small intestine villi and folds.
Diagnosis of malabsorption syndrome
- A clinical diagnosis can be made based on the above symptoms, signs and examinations.
Treatment of malabsorption syndrome
- Substitute treatment is an important measure to treat such diseases. It is best to choose intravenous hypertrophic therapy to supplement the lost water electrolytes and various nutrients and vitamins. Intravenous albumin or blood transfusion if necessary. Take special measures to treat specific causes.