Many diseases (or their consequences) can cause malabsorption, which is a condition in which inflammation, disorder or injury prevents the small intestine from absorbing enough nutrients from food. The pathologies that can induce malabsorption are many and different, including for example cancer, celiac disease and Crohn's disease. Being able to identify the symptoms allows you to find the appropriate treatment, increases the chances of recovery and prevents the disease from returning.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Recognizing the Symptoms of Malabsorption
Step 1. Know what the main risk factors are
Anyone can have malabsorption, but there are some factors that are frequently associated with the risk of developing this disease. Knowing the possible causes of the condition can help you diagnose it early, so you can treat it effectively.
- If your body does not produce some specific digestive enzymes, then you are at risk of developing some form of malabsorption.
- Disorders and defects - congenital or not - affecting the intestinal tract, pancreas, gallbladder and liver can increase the risk of developing some form of malabsorption.
- Inflammation, infection or injury of the intestinal tract can increase the risk of developing a form of malabsorption. Surgical removal of a portion of the intestine is a further cause of this pathology.
- Therapies that use radiation can put you at risk of developing a form of malabsorption.
- Certain diseases or disorders, including HIV, cancer, chronic liver disease, Crohn's disease and celiac disease, can increase the risk of developing some form of malabsorption.
- Taking certain medications and antibiotics, including cholestyramine, laxatives, and tetracyclines, can increase the risk of developing some form of malabsorption.
- If you've recently traveled to Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, India, or other countries where the population is commonly affected by intestinal parasite-related disorders, you may have been infected with a parasite that causes malabsorption.
Step 2. Identify potential symptoms
The disorders caused by poor absorption of nutrients in the intestine can be numerous and very different from each other. Based on the nutrients the body is unable to assimilate, symptoms can be mild, moderate or even severe. Being able to identify them promptly will allow you to receive the necessary care in the shortest possible time.
- Gastrointestinal upset, including chronic diarrhea, bloating, cramps, and flatulence, are the most common symptoms of malabsorption. In addition, insufficient assimilation of nutrients could cause an excessive amount of fat in the stool, a condition that can alter its color and make it more voluminous.
- Weight changes (especially weight loss) are a common symptom of malabsorption.
- Fatigue and weakness can result from malabsorption.
- Anemia or excessive blood loss are also symptoms of malabsorption. Anemia can result from a lack of vitamin B12, folate or iron. Insufficient vitamin K can cause excessive bleeding.
- Inadequate absorption of vitamin A can be the cause of dermatitis and episodes of night blindness.
- Episodes of cardiac arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat can result from insufficient levels of potassium and other electrolytes.
Step 3. Observe your bodily functions
If you suspect that you have some form of malabsorption, take a close look at your body's activities. In addition to being more likely to be able to highlight any symptoms, you may be able to diagnose the disease early, having the ability to receive appropriate treatment immediately.
- When you have a bowel movement, pay attention to the smell, color, and shape of the stool to see if it is particularly clear, soft, bulky, or foul-smelling. Generally, this type of stool will be difficult to flush down the toilet or will tend to stick to the walls of the toilet.
- Note any swelling of the abdomen or the presence of flatulence following the ingestion of certain foods.
- You may have edema, which is localized swelling in your legs, ankles, or feet, due to a buildup of fluid in your body.
Step 4. Notice if you feel weak
Malabsorption can prevent the body from growing and staying healthy. A weakness of the physical structure, characterized for example by brittle bones or weakened muscles, can be the direct consequence of insufficient absorption of nutrients. Pay attention to any changes in your bone, muscle or hair structure, to be able to diagnose and treat malabsorption in time.
- Your hair may become excessively dry, and you may also lose more than normal amounts of it.
- You may find that you are not growing or that your muscles are not developing. In some cases, muscle mass may even decrease.
- Pain in your muscles or bones, and even the presence of neuropathies, may indicate that you have some form of malabsorption.
Part 2 of 2: Getting a Diagnosis and Getting Proper Care
Step 1. Contact your doctor
If you have found that you have any of these potential symptoms of malabsorption and / or have any of those factors that are frequently associated with this disorder, see your doctor as soon as possible. Early diagnosis increases the chances of recovery.
- Your doctor may be able to diagnose malabsorption based on the details of your medical record.
- It may also suggest that you undergo several tests to be able to make an even more accurate diagnosis.
Step 2. Describe your symptoms to your doctor
It is important that you are able to notice any symptoms of the disease, and also regularly take note of them to be able to describe them in detail to the doctor. Your notes will help you explain every clue of the disease accurately, while also helping you not to forget anything important. Your doctor will want you to describe your every sensation in great detail.
- Explain your symptoms and the effects that come with them. For example, if you are suffering from bloating or abdominal cramps, use terms that are as descriptive as possible to help him understand if you perceive them in a light, medium or strong way. Generally, most physical symptoms can be explained in the same way.
- Specify how long each symptom has persisted. The more precise you are in defining the dates, the easier it will be for your doctor to be able to find out what causes your symptoms.
- Notice how often the symptoms occur. This information can be just as important in helping your doctor determine the causes. For example, you could tell him that you suffer from flatulence "every day" and that your stools are "always" bulky or that you only feel swollen ankles "from time to time".
- If you have made any changes in your daily life, which for example may have caused a greater build-up of stress, it is important to report them to your doctor.
- Also provide a list of the medications you usually take. In some cases they could aggravate the pathology.
Step 3. Take the required tests to allow your doctor to make a diagnosis
After seeing and listening to you, if your doctor suspects you are suffering from some form of malabsorption, your doctor may suggest that you have a thorough clinical examination that will allow him to make a more accurate diagnosis, while ruling out other possible causes. These analyzes could confirm the diagnosis of malabsorption.
Step 4. Provide a stool sample
Most likely, among the tests prescribed by your doctor, there will be the analysis of a fecal sample, which could allow you to confirm the diagnosis of malabsorption and identify the treatment that best suits your condition.
- The fecal sample will be analyzed to look for any excess fat. One of the main effects of malabsorption is in fact the insufficient capacity of the intestine to absorb fats. Your doctor may suggest that you eat more fatty foods than normal for about 1 to 3 days, during which time you will be asked to provide your stool sample.
- The analysis of the stool sample could also be aimed at highlighting the possible presence of bacteria or parasites.
Step 5. Get your blood and urine tests
If your doctor suspects that your small intestine is unable to properly assimilate the nutrients contained in food, they may recommend that you provide a urine sample for analysis. Likewise, he may advise you to have your blood tested. These analyzes are able to highlight specific nutritional deficiencies, including different types of anemia, a low level of protein, deficiencies in vitamins and minerals.
Your doctor will likely want to check the values and levels for: plasma viscosity, vitamin B12, folic acid (for the production of red blood cells), iron, blood clotting factors, calcium, antibodies and serum magnesium
Step 6. Use the imaging tests
Your doctor may want to examine the extent of the damage caused by malabsorption. He may then order you to have an ultrasound, X-ray, or CT scan to see your intestines more closely.
- The radiographic examination and the CT scan allow to photograph the inside of the abdomen, simplifying the formulation of the diagnosis by the doctor. In addition, they allow you to accurately highlight the area affected by the pathology (sometimes the areas could be multiple). As a direct consequence, you will be more likely to find the best treatment for your condition.
- If your doctor prescribes an X-ray examination, you will need to sit still while a trained technician will take several images of your small intestine. This exam allows you to more accurately view any damage in this section of the intestine.
- Your doctor may also prescribe a CT scan, a diagnostic test in which you will have to stay completely still for a few minutes lying on a bed inside a large X-ray tube. Again, the doctor will be able to recognize the extent of the damage in your intestine, being able to formulate the treatment that best suits your condition.
- Abdominal ultrasound can be used to diagnose any disorders related to: gallbladder, liver, pancreas, intestinal walls or lymph nodes.
- In some cases, a barium sulfate solution (a contrast agent capable of producing clearer images) may need to be taken for the radiological examination to allow doctors to accurately visualize any abnormalities in the intestine.
Step 7. Learn about the hydrogen breath test
Your own doctor may be suggesting this to you. This test is used to diagnose the poor digestion of sugars, for example lactose, the sugar of milk (in this case a lactose intolerance will be diagnosed). The results will allow your doctor to formulate a treatment appropriate to your condition.
- During the exam, all you have to do is breathe into a sterile pouch with a spout.
- You will then be given instructions for taking a solution that contains lactose, glucose, or another sugar.
- At 30 minute intervals, new breath samples will be collected to test for hydrogen and bacteria values. Abnormal or excessive levels indicate an irregularity in the digestive process.
Step 8. Undergo a biopsy to collect a sample of cells
The less invasive tests described so far could indicate that there is a potential problem of malabsorption on the part of the intestinal walls, consequently the doctor may decide that a biopsy is necessary to take a sample of tissue. The collected cells will be analyzed in the laboratory.
Generally, the cell sample will be taken during an endoscopy or colonoscopy
Step 9. Treat malabsorption
After making a diagnosis, your doctor may prescribe treatment. The medications and treatments needed vary based on the severity of your condition. The options are numerous: from simply taking vitamin supplements to hospitalization for the most severe cases.
You should know that, even in cases of early diagnosis, it may take some time to reach a complete recovery
Step 10. Make up for nutrient deficiency
As soon as your doctor has diagnosed which nutrients your intestine is no longer able to assimilate, he may decide to prescribe specific nutrient, fluid and vitamin supplements to make up for this lack.
- In cases of mild or moderate disease severity, treatment may consist of taking oral supplements or administering nutrients directly intravenously.
- Your doctor may also suggest that you eat a nutrient-rich diet. Your new diet will focus on getting more of those nutrients you are currently lacking.
Step 11. Work with your doctor to treat the condition that is causing the malabsorption
Often, by eliminating the factors that cause nutrient failure, the intestinal walls can function effectively again. The exact treatment indicated for your recovery depends on the type of pathology causing intestinal malabsorption: together with your doctor you can determine which treatment is most suitable for your particular condition.
- Generally, infections and parasites can be eliminated with medication. Once healed, your intestines should return to efficiently assimilate all nutrients.
- If celiac disease is the cause of malabsorption, you will need to eliminate all foods that contain gluten from your diet. Similarly, if lactose intolerance is the cause, you should avoid all dairy products.
- If you have pancreatic insufficiency, you may need to take special enzymes by mouth. As with celiac disease or lactose intolerance, this will be a long-term obligation. If the diagnosis reveals a vitamin deficiency, you will need to make long-term use of vitamin supplements.
- In some cases, for example if you are diagnosed with blind loop syndrome or an intestinal blockage, surgery may be required.
