Malabsorption Syndrome - a Difficult Problem to Diagnosis

Malabsorption syndrome is a complicated health issue, combing a difficult diagnosis with an often complicated, long-term treatment. Basically, it's the failure of the small intestine to absorb the complete amount of fats, carbohydrates, minerals, proteins, and vitamins necessary for good health. The necessary nutrients for health are missing. The onset of symptoms can be slow and extremely varied.

Proteins, fats and carbohydrates are normally absorbed through the small intestine. It also handles the major absorption (about eighty percent) of consumed fluids. The small intestine is a very important part of our system.

There can be many different causes for malabsorption. A fault, or weakness, in the digestive system can come from the body's inability to produce the right enzymes that are needed to digest certain foods. Congenital structural defects, or diseases of the pancreas, liver, or gall bladder, can change the entire digestive process. Inflammation may cause absorption trouble. So might an infection or injury.

Sometimes surgery can be at fault. Surgical removal of part of the small intestine can result in a smaller surface that's capable of absorbing food and fluid. Radiation can harm the mucus lining of the intestine. The results can cause diarrhea-and it might not surface for some years. Even antibiotics can kill of some of the necessary bacteria that aids in the breakdown of food.

Some of the more common symptoms of malabsorption are anemia (due to inadequate absorption of vitamin B12, iron, and folic acid), diarrhea steatorrhea (excessive fat in stools which causes bloating, cramps, and gas), endema (too much fluid being retained in body tissue), muscle cramping (not enough vitamin D, calcium, and potassium), and perianal itching, soreness, or burning (due to frequent loose stools or diarrhea.)