Fat Malabsorption Signs, Remedies:
Malabsorption refers to a condition in which the nutrients present in the food which we consume is not properly digested and assimilated into the bloodstream. The most common nutrients that the digestive tract fails to process completely are carbohydrates and sugars, proteins, vitamins, minerals and fats. The problem of absorption mainly occurs in the small intestine.
When fat present in the food is not absorbed properly, it leads to weight loss and emaciation, which lead to a persistent feeling of exhaustion. The normal amount of fat that the healthy body reserves for recovering from illnesses gets depleted and consequently the person becomes increasingly susceptible to ailments and takes longer to recover from them. External symptoms like loss of the natural glow of the skin and hair may also manifest due to fat malabsorption.
Pain in the abdomen, gas formation and bloating in the stomach are among the other common symptoms of fat malabsorption. One of the most common consequences of fat malabsorption is defecation of large amounts of greasy, sticky, foul-smelling feces, a condition medically known as steatorrhea. The patient may also find droplets of fat and particles of undigested food floating in the toilet after defecating. The main reason behind this is irregular and inadequate production of the enzyme lipase in the pancreas and bile in the liver, which are primarily responsible for the digestion of fats. Other causes of fat malabsorption include bacterial and parasitic infections in the digestive tract, ulcerative colitis, chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, abnormal tissue lining inside the intestine (called Crohn’s disease) and the faulty transmission of digestive enzymes. The problem is also complicated by the fact that even eating a healthy, well balanced diet often does not result in an easy solution. This is because malabsorption is not an ailment in itself; rather it is a symptom of some underlying problem in the body.
For an accurate diagnosis of the nature and the cause of your problem, you should consult a doctor, who might recommend stool test along with a CT scan. The treatment of the underlying problem will depend on the results of such tests. In addition to the medicines and diet prescribed by your doctor, you should also follow a few basic rules to abate the problem. Eat several small portions of food at regular intervals throughout the day instead of just a few big meals in order to aid digestion. Do not consume laxatives unless absolutely necessary. Avoid caffeinated products and alcoholic drinks.
