Malabsorption Syndrome Information & Treatment (2024)

FAQs

Malabsorption Syndrome Information & Treatment? ›

How is malabsorption syndrome treated? Treatment for malabsorption syndrome may include a special diet, medicine to replace intestinal enzymes or reduce spasms, and vitamin or mineral supplements, such as B12 and iron.

Medicines to slow down the normal movement of the intestine can be tried. This may allow food to remain in the intestine longer. If the body is not able to absorb enough nutrients, total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is tried. It will help you or your child get nutrition from a special formula through a vein in the body.

Initially, a doctor may recommend that a person avoids the food type that is causing the malabsorption, such as lactose or gluten-containing foods. The doctor can evaluate the nutrients present in this food type and make recommendations on supplementation as a means of enhancing nutritional intake.

Possible causes

Factors that may cause malabsorption syndrome include: damage to the intestine from infection, inflammation, trauma (injury), or surgery. prolonged use of antibiotics. other conditions such as celiac disease, Crohn's disease, chronic pancreatitis, or cystic fibrosis.

A malabsorption syndrome should be suspected when a patient's history includes but is not limited to ongoing or chronic diarrhea, unintentional weight loss despite normal nutrient intake, greasy, voluminous, foul-smelling stools that reportedly float.

How is malabsorption syndrome treated? Treatment for malabsorption syndrome may include a special diet, medicine to replace intestinal enzymes or reduce spasms, and vitamin or mineral supplements, such as B12 and iron.

Malabsorption syndrome can't always be prevented, especially if you have celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, or other chronic conditions. A chronic condition is one that is ongoing and lasts a long time, from several months to a lifetime.

Fat malabsorption

Fats that aren't absorbed in your small intestine pass to your colon, causing fatty stools (steatorrhea). Fatty stools are greasy and runny and particularly smelly. They may be light-colored and float. Fat malabsorption also leads to the malabsorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K).

Vitamin B12 and folate levels may also be used to screen for malabsorption. There are numerous causes of folate and B12 deficiency, and since the deficiencies often occur together and cause similar types of anemia, both must be measured to ensure proper diagnosis.

This results in malabsorption triggering symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, anorexia, and weight loss. As a result, patients will have many vitamin and mineral deficits such as vitamin A, thiamine, vitamin B12, folate, and iron, resulting in anemia.

What autoimmune disease causes malabsorption? ›

Hematologic tests indicated in the workup of malabsorption include the following: A complete blood cell (CBC) count may reveal microcytic anemia due to iron deficiency or macrocytic anemia due to vitamin B12 (cobalamin) or B9 (folate) malabsorption.

To understand the mechanisms of malabsorption, knowledge of the normal physiologic process of digestion and absorption by the intestinal tract is necessary. In general, the digestion and absorption of food materials can be divided into three major phases: luminal, mucosal, and postabsorptive.

In some studies, probiotic supplements containing lactic acid bacteria and Bifidobacterium have been demonstrated effective in supporting beneficial microbes in the SI while improving barrier integrity and reducing nutrient malabsorption and SI disease-related pathology.

Two basic principles underlie the management of patients with malabsorption, (1) the correction of nutritional deficiencies, and (2) when possible, the treatment of causative diseases.

There are many ways to maximize nutrient absorption. Try eating healthy fats with vegetables, pairing prebiotics with probiotics, and opting for unpeeled foods. Chewing your food thoroughly and drinking plenty of water also improves digestion and nutrient absorption.