Lactase deficiency can result in malabsorption and occurs in 15 percent of Caucasian, 50 percent of blacks and nearly 90 percent of Asians. Often times, however, one can have a partial lactase deficiency that causes symptoms but not full-blown malabsorption. Treatment is to avoid lactose-containing dairy products (milk, ice cream, and cheese), and over-the-counter lactose enzymes are available to aid in digestion.
Parasitic diseases can cause selective malabsorption of lactose of fat. Giardia Lamblia is the most common of these parasites and is contracted by ingesting un-purified water such as from streams, lakes, and ponds or in foreign countries. It is also passed along through day care centers, swimming pools or person-to-person. It is treated with antibiotics.
Other causes of malabsorption can be due to past intestinal surgeries, bacterial overgrowth, AIDS, radiation to the abdomen, diabetes, lymphoma or motility disorders. In addition to small bowel disease, malabsorption can occur in those who have had portions of their stomachs removed surgically. The pancreas produces enzymes that help to digest food so if a condition exists where enzymes are not being produced it can result in maldigestion or malabsorption. This could include chronic alcoholic pancreatitis, trauma, cystic fibrosis, tumors or post surgical states.
The diagnosis of malabsorption consists of a number of different tests to look for the various causes. Generally, an endoscopy is performed under mild sedation, at which time a biopsy can be obtained to be analyzed under the microscope. In addition, various blood tests are helpful to determine if a malnourished condition exists. Stool collections and cultures are useful as well as certain breath and hormone tests.
The treatment of malabsorption syndromes depends on the cause, so an accurate diagnosis is important. Some of the treatments employed, however may include diet changes, antibiotics, antidiarrheal agents, intestinal hormones, various vitamins, minerals and medium chain triglycerides, acid reducing medicines and anti-inflammatory medications or steroids.
Other Gastrointestinal Diseases:
- Celiac Sprue |
Crohn's Disease |
Colon Cancer |
Colon Polyps |
Constipation |
Diarrhea |
Diverticulosis |
Esophageal Strictures |
Gastrointestinal Bleeding |
Helicobacter Pylori |
Hemorrhoids |
Irritable Bowel Syndrome |
Lactose Intolerance |
Malabsorption Syndromes |
Pancreatic Cancer |
Pancreatitis |
Ulcerative Colitis |
Whipple's Disease
Related Links
- Definitions
Patient Education:
|
Prev
