Malabsorption history and symptoms: Difference between revisions

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==History and Symptoms==
==History and Symptoms==
It can present in variety of ways and features might give clue to underlying condition. Symptoms can be intestinal or extra-intestinal, former predominates in severe malabsorption.
It can present in variety of ways and features might give clue to underlying condition. Symptoms can be intestinal or extra-intestinal, former predominates in severe malabsorption.
[[Image:Small-Intestine-highlighted.gif|thumb|left|Small intestine : major site of absorption]]
* [[Diarrhoea]],often [[steatorrhoea]] is the most common feature.  Watery, diurnal and nocturnal, bulky, frequent stools are the clinical hallmark of overt malabsorption.  It is due to impaired water, carbohydrate and electrolyte absorption or irritation from unabsorbed fatty acid. Latter also result in [[bloating]], [[flatulence]] and abdominal discomfort.  Cramping pain usually suggest obstructive intestinal segment e.g. in crohn's disease especially if persists after defecation.<ref name="julio">{{cite journal |author=Bai J |title=Malabsorption syndromes |journal=Digestion |volume=59 |issue=5 |pages=530-46 |year=1998 |pmid=9705537}}</ref>
* [[Diarrhoea]],often [[steatorrhoea]] is the most common feature.  Watery, diurnal and nocturnal, bulky, frequent stools are the clinical hallmark of overt malabsorption.  It is due to impaired water, carbohydrate and electrolyte absorption or irritation from unabsorbed fatty acid. Latter also result in [[bloating]], [[flatulence]] and abdominal discomfort.  Cramping pain usually suggest obstructive intestinal segment e.g. in crohn's disease especially if persists after defecation.<ref name="julio">{{cite journal |author=Bai J |title=Malabsorption syndromes |journal=Digestion |volume=59 |issue=5 |pages=530-46 |year=1998 |pmid=9705537}}</ref>
* Weight loss can be significant despite increased oral intake of nutrients<ref>health ato z {{cite web |url=http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/common/standard/transform.jsp?requestURI=/healthatoz/Atoz/ency/malabsorption_syndrome.jsp |title=Malabsorption syndrome |accessdate=2007-05-10 |format= |work=}}</ref>.
* Weight loss can be significant despite increased oral intake of nutrients<ref>health ato z {{cite web |url=http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/common/standard/transform.jsp?requestURI=/healthatoz/Atoz/ency/malabsorption_syndrome.jsp |title=Malabsorption syndrome |accessdate=2007-05-10 |format= |work=}}</ref>.

Revision as of 18:20, 27 March 2013

Malabsorption

Home

Overview

Classification

Infection
Structural defect
Digestive failure
Systemic disease
Iatrogenic

Differentiating Malabsorption from other Diseases

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

History and Symptoms

It can present in variety of ways and features might give clue to underlying condition. Symptoms can be intestinal or extra-intestinal, former predominates in severe malabsorption.

  • Diarrhoea,often steatorrhoea is the most common feature. Watery, diurnal and nocturnal, bulky, frequent stools are the clinical hallmark of overt malabsorption. It is due to impaired water, carbohydrate and electrolyte absorption or irritation from unabsorbed fatty acid. Latter also result in bloating, flatulence and abdominal discomfort. Cramping pain usually suggest obstructive intestinal segment e.g. in crohn's disease especially if persists after defecation.[1]
  • Weight loss can be significant despite increased oral intake of nutrients[2].
  • Growth retardation, failure to thrive, delayed puberty in children
  • Swelling or oedema from loss of protein
  • Anaemias, commonly from vitamin B12, folic acid and iron defeciency presenting as fatigue and weakness.
  • Muscle cramp from decreased vitamin D, calcium absorption. Also lead to osteomalacia and osteoporosis
  • Bleeding tendencies from vitamin K and other coagulation factor defeciencies.

References

  1. Bai J (1998). "Malabsorption syndromes". Digestion. 59 (5): 530–46. PMID 9705537.
  2. health ato z "Malabsorption syndrome". Retrieved 2007-05-10.