Malabsorption syndrome

A group of symptoms and signs, including malnutrition, anaemia, oedema and dermatitis, which results from steatorrhoea and malabsorption of vitamins, protein, carbohydrates and water.


Complex of symptoms, including loss of appetite, bloating, weight loss, muscle pain, and stools with high fat content, that result from abnormal intestinal absorption and occur in celiac disease, sprue, cystic fibrosis, and certain other disorders.


Inadequate uptake of nutrients from the digestive tract that may be associated with gastrectomy, gastric bypass, or deficiency of pancrease or lactase enzymes.


Impaired absorption of nutrients in the small intestine due to a number of diseases and conditions, each of which can damage the structure of the small intestine or diminish the presence of the enzymes that aid digestion. Pale, greasy, foul-smelling stools are a common symptom of malabsorption. Additional symptoms include abdominal bloating, flatulence, and diarrhea. Signs of vitamin and mineral deficiencies due to malabsorption are a sore tongue, numbness and tingling sensations in the arms and legs, muscle cramps, and bone pain.


Several conditions characterized by faulty absorption from the intestine of foodstuffs such as fat, vitamins and mineral salts. These include coeliac disease, sprue, cystic fibrosis and pancreatitis. Surgical removal of the small intestine also causes this syndrome. Symptoms include anaemia, diarrhoea, oedema, vitamin deficiencies, weight loss and, in severe cases, malnutrition. The stools tend to be pale, bulky, offensive and difficult to flush away because of their high fat content.


Disordered or inadequate absorption of nutrients from the intestinal tract, especially the small intestine. The syndrome may be associated with or due to a number of diseases, including those affecting the intestinal mucosa, such as infections, tropical sprue, celiac disease, .pancreatic insufficiency, or lactase deficiency. It may also be due to surgery such as gastric resection and ileal bypass or to antibiotic therapy such as neomycin.


A disorder distinguished by dyspepsia, abdominal distension, irregular bowel movements, diminished desire for food, and debilitation, arises due to inadequate assimilation of nourishment from ingested meals owing to HIV infection, giardiasis, or other opportunistic afflictions affecting the gastrointestinal system.


 


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