Malabsorption syndrome

syndrome intestinal malabsorption or malabsorption is the difficulty or loss of the capacity of the small intestine for the normal absorption of one or more nutrients during the digestion process.

Why does malabsorption syndrome occur?

Malabsorption syndrome can be caused by causes that directly affect the small intestine or for causes that without affecting the intestine, alter the normal digestion process. Among the most common causes of malabsorption that affect the small intestine are:

• Lesions of the intestinal mucosa (due to infections, parasites, inflammatory or autoimmune diseases, tumor lesions, etc.)
• Decrease in the area of ​​aintestinal absorption (after surgery, radiotherapy, etc.)
• Intestinal vascular lesions or deficits that prevent the passage of absorbed nutrients into the blood.

Among the most common causes of malabsorption that do not directly affect the small intestine are:

• , liver, bile ducts, esophagus or stomach.
• One or more deficits enzymes digestives.
• Systemic diseases such as diabetes, thyroid or parathyroid disorders, tumors, etc.
• Use of drugs that cause damage to the intestinal mucosa or that selectively block the absorption of one or more nutrients.

Symptoms of intestinal malabsorption

Malabsorption syndrome can be asymptomatic or go unnoticed in the initial stages of it. On many occasions the first symptoms are those of the disease itself or disorder causing malabsorption syndrome. The most frequent manifestations of malabsorption syndrome are nonspecific symptoms such as:

• Diarrhea
• Abdominal distension
• Meteorism
• Malnutrition
• Weightloss
• Asthenia

At other times, symptoms vwould vary depending on the type of nutrient that cannot be absorbed:

• Carbohydrate malabsorption: causes chronic diarrhea, bloating and bloating.
• Fat malabsorption: causes voluminous and foul-smelling stools, lack of absorption of fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin K (its deficit favors bleeding), vitamin A (its deficit produces mucosal alterations, dermatitis), vitamin D (its deficit causes rickets, bone weakness) or vitamin E (its deficiency produces alterations of the mucous membranes, visual alterations)
• Protein malabsorption: causes weight loss, loss of muscle mass, ascites, edema, rupture of cell membranes and loss of their functions.
• Malabsorption of vitamin B12: its deficit causes anemia or neurological disorders.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of malabsorption syndrome is made by the general practitioner, the internist or the specialist in digestive pathology in the consultation of the medical center or hospital. The diagnosis is based mainly on:

• Appropriate physical examination of the patient
• Symptomatology that presents

Result of the complementary studies that are carried out, among which one tonalytic blood complete to demonstrate specific deficits, a stool analysis, a nutritional study and different complementary studies aimed at ruling out possible causes of malabsorption.

Treatment

Treatment should be directed at treat the cause that is causing the malabsorption. Sometimes an extra contribution in the diet or in pharmacological form of those nutrients that are not absorbed is necessary to avoid the complications associated with their deficit or malnutrition.

Can it be prevented?

• Correct those avoidable factors responsible for malabsorption.
• Eat a balanced diet, avoiding the consumption of toxins, drugs or antibiotics that can modify the intestinal flora or cause damage to the intestinal mucosa.
• Carry out regular medical check-ups and follow the instructions of your usual doctor in those patients who present diseases of the digestive system.