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The term “malabsorption syndrome” encompasses a set of symptoms that develop as a consequence of a usually generalized (and therefore multi-food) intestinal malabsorption disorder (so-called full malabsorption syndrome).
It may also be limited to the impairment of the absorption of several or selectively to only one nutrient, as the so-called incomplete malabsorption syndrome. The malabsorption may have a different underlying cause.
In general, the malabsorption syndromes can be divided into:
• primaryin which the cause of non-use and non-absorption of various nutrients by the body are inborn or acquired disorders of enzymatic and metabolic processes, protein and hormonal disorders and deficiencies, parasitic diseases, radiation or drug-induced damage, etc.
• secondary (also known as impaired digestive syndromes), in which the cause is inadequate preparation in the digestion process of consumed food, as a result of insufficient digestive function of the upper gastrointestinal tract (i.e. the oral cavity, stomach and duodenum) as a result of inappropriate coordination of secretory-digestive activities of the stomach and pancreas (e.g. after partial gastric resection), insufficient exocrine pancreatic function, in diseases of the liver and biliary tract, in changes in the bacterial flora, i.e. in the case of increased fermentation processes in the intestines, etc.
Primary malabsorption syndromes
Examples of primary malabsorption syndrome include:
• celiac disease, also called celiac disease, in children, and
• family sprue in adults.
Celiac disease
It is a disease related to an inherited, hereditary intolerance to gluten, i.e. the protein contained in wheat, barley, rye and oat grains.
symptoms
Most often they start in infancy, after introducing gluten (bread, meal, cakes) into the diet. The symptoms of classic celiac disease become more severe the younger the child is.
It is believed that the classic character accounts for only 30% of all cases. The decrease in its incidence was probably influenced by long-term breastfeeding and the introduction of gluten to the child’s diet gradually, in small amounts, initially mainly including oat products, considered to be the least toxic.
The appearance of the disease in adults is often preceded by an infectious disease (gastrointestinal or respiratory system), some surgery or sometimes pregnancy.
In the interviews, a significant proportion of the sick people can establish a history of chronic bacterial diarrhea in childhood with accompanying body weight deficiency and anemia.
The so-called latent form of celiac disease, showing itself late. It is found mainly in adolescents and adults. It is often a monosymptomatic form (e.g. only anemia), not always accompanied by abdominal symptoms.
Below are listed diseases that often coexist with celiac disease, the presence of which – despite the absence of gastrointestinal symptoms – should suggest serological tests in this direction.
These are:
• delay in somatic development and puberty, pregnancy failures
• nutritional deficiencies (hypochromatic anemia, rickets)
• chronic diseases such as:
– type I diabetes,
– thyroiditis, hyperthyroidism, Addison’s disease,
– isolated IgA deficiency,
– herpetic dermatitis,
– hyposplenism,
– underdevelopment of tooth enamel,
– connective tissue diseases,
Autoimmune diseases such as Sjögren’s syndrome
– nephropathy IgA,
– recurrent mouth ulcers,
– mental disorders, e.g. schizophrenia, autism,
– chronic hepatitis, inflammatory bowel disease,
– cancers of the small intestine, e.g. lymphomas,
– enteropathy with hypersensitivity to cow’s milk proteins,
– cystic fibrosis,
– epilepsy.
Treatment: a lifelong gluten-free diet.
Secondary malabsorption syndromes
The course of the disease varies greatly in terms of the severity of symptoms. People with malabsorption usually complain of a predisposition to fatty diarrhea, which alternates intermittently with constipation. The stools are usually quite plentiful and very foul-smelling.
In the abdominal cavity, the so-called kinking and splashing. As a result of prolonged diarrhea and impaired absorption of nutrients, there is a progressive weight loss, dehydration, weakness, anemia, etc.
The resulting deficiencies, e.g. of iron, may cause other disease symptoms (e.g. hair loss, nail brittleness, dry skin).
The diagnosis of both primary and secondary malabsorption syndromes is made by a physician based on the totality of data, specialist examinations and hospital observation of the patient.
Treatment
In primary malabsorption syndromes, treatment should always be carried out by a physician. It is difficult, burdensome, long-lasting and to varying degrees of effectiveness. Nevertheless, a proper diet, excluding, for example, gluten in celiac disease, gives quite good results.
Secondary malabsorption (digestive) syndromes require taking into account the causes that determine them in treatment and pharmacological correction of identified organ deficiencies and digestive disorders along with supplementing the existing deficiencies, e.g. electrolytes, water, vitamin B12, folic acid or iron.
Treatment can only be carried out by a doctor.
In supportive dietary treatment, unsaturated and medium-chain fats in limited amounts, foods in small volumes, rather solid and liquid foods are administered separately, and in established cases of intolerance, certain nutrients are excluded (e.g. milk, cane sugar, gluten, starch).
Curcumin, a compound found in turmeric, combined with phospholipids increases the absorption of nutrients. It can be delivered to the body with the help of dietary supplements. At Medonet Market you can buy Kurcumin phospholipids from the Dr Jacob’s brand. Curcumin additionally supports the functioning of the liver and contributes to the proper functioning of the brain.