Malabsorption Syndrome And Our Intestines

Malabsorption is the inability of our intestines to absorb the nutrients needed by our body to produce energy and for cell growth. Diseases and conditions that are included in this category of malabsorption syndrome are: bassen-kornzweig syndrome, biliary atresia, cystic fibrosis, celiac disease, lactose intolerance, pernicious anemia, pancreatitis, shwachman-diamond syndrome, tropical sprue, and whipple's disease.

When an individual has malabsorption it leads to slow growth, and slow development which can lead to the diagnosis of "failure to thrive" in babies.

Many malabsorption results in the insufficient absorption of only certain nutrients, such as B12, fats and calcium.

Individuals with malabsorption may have the following symptoms: bloating, diarrhea, gas, slow growth, slow development, and also nutritional deficiencies.

Individuals with malabsorption can have serious health problems. Especially newborn babies can have serious consequences when they have malabsorption issues. Adequate nutrition is vital to proper growth and proper development of body systems. Permanent disabilities related to growth and development can be the result of malabsorption.

Diagnosing Malabsorption:

There are some tests available to help make the diagnosis of malabsorption.

One test the doctor may do is a stool examination. A normal occurrence with malabsorption is for the doctor to see fat content in the stools of those who have malabsorption. There may also be evidence of undigested foods in the stool specimens.

Blood tests that measure the various levels of nutrients can be ordered that will tell the doctor is absorption is taking place within the digestive system. Levels of blood glucose after eating will be taken.

X-rays may also determine how well the intestines are working or if the intestines are damaged in any way. They can also detect blockages that may stop the process of food absorption.

A biopsy of the intestine may be ordered to determine if there is any damage to the intestine, or to see if bacteria exist in the intestine that may be causing the problem.

Two conditions in which malabsorption occurs are: lactose intolerance and cystic fibrosis.

Lactose intolerance is when the body is not able to digest lactose easily. Lactose is a type of sugar that is found in milk and other dairy products. If an individual is not able to digest lactose correctly, it moves through the large intestine without being properly digested. The result is that the undigested particles cause discomfort in the form of gas, abdominal pain, and also bloating. Individuals with lactose intolerance cannot digest milk or products made from milk such as ice cream, cheese, or food products made from dairy products. A challenge for those who are lactose intolerance is not only to avoid the discomfort experienced but also to be able to take in enough calcium that the body needs for bones and teeth.

The cause of lactose intolerance can be found in the small intestine when not enough of the enzyme lactase occurs. The lactase is needed in order to break down the lactose in dairy foods that we ingest.

Cystic Fibrosis is a disease that causes mucus in the body to become thick and sticky. This thick, sticky mucus can cause a problem in the pancreas, which is part of the digestive system. This causes problems with nutrition, digestion, growth and development. Individuals who have cystic fibrosis are not expected to live much past the mid-to-late 30s although new treatments are helping to prolong life into the 40s or in some cases longer.