
For instance, people may stop menstruating, and children may not grow properly. Malabsorption may affect people based on different characteristics. You may have anemia, malnutrition, low blood pressure, weight loss, or muscle wasting. You may have bloating, gas, or explosive diarrhea.

Fluid retention is also known as edema and will look like swelling. You may have dry hair, hair loss, or fluid retention. These stools are difficult to flush and may float or stick to the sides of the toilet bowl. You may have light-colored, foul-smelling stools that are soft and bulky. You may have the following symptoms if you’re unable to absorb fats, protein, or certain sugars or vitamins: Other symptoms are a result of a deficiency of that nutrient, which is caused by its poor absorption. Many symptoms differ depending on the specific nutrient or nutrients that are not being absorbed properly. Symptoms of malabsorption syndrome occur when unabsorbed nutrients pass through the digestive tract. Recognizing the symptoms of malabsorption syndrome Tropical sprue may be related to environmental factors, such as:Īn even rarer potential cause of malabsorption is Whipple’s disease, which is a result of a bacterial infection. These include tropical sprue, a condition most common in: SBS may be an irregularity present from birth, or it may be caused by surgery.Ĭertain diseases may cause malabsorption. This makes the intestine less able to absorb nutrients. With SBS, the small intestine is shortened.

One of these is called short bowel syndrome (SBS). There are also some uncommon disorders that can result in malabsorption. Or, your body may not be able to mix the food you eat with the enzymes and acid produced by your stomach. Your stomach may not be able to produce the enzymes it needs to digest certain foods. The syndrome may also be caused by digestive problems.

certain irregularities that are congenital, or present at birth, such as biliary atresia, when the bile ducts don’t develop normally and prevent the flow of bile from the liver.lactase deficiency, or lactose intolerance.other conditions such as celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, chronic pancreatitis, or cystic fibrosis.damage to the intestine from infection, inflammation, trauma (injury), or surgery.Possible causesįactors that may cause malabsorption syndrome include: Many things can lead to malabsorption syndrome, from certain diseases to infections or developmental issues.
