Malabsorption Overview and Effects

A condition where the gastrointestinal tract fails to absorb nutrients properly.

The inability to absorb fats from the intestines, leading to steatorrhea.

Fat in the stool, often a sign of malabsorption.

Stool that lacks normal brown color due to bile deficiency. Often linked to fat malabsorption.

Inability to absorb sugars, leading to watery diarrhea.

Inability to absorb amino acids, potentially impacting albumin levels and causing edema.

Loose, watery stools caused by malabsorption of sugars, creating osmotic pressure.

Common symptoms of malabsorption syndromes caused by the body's inability to effectively absorb key vitamins and minerals.

Greasy, foul-smelling stools that float due to high fat content.

Diarrhea with red and white blood cells in the stool (visible via microscopy).

Fluid diarrhea caused by either secreting or osmosis.

Diarrhea caused by substances stimulating fluid secretion in the gut.

Infection causing secretory diarrhea due to toxin stimulating fluid secretion.

Watery diarrhea due to non-absorbable substances drawing water into the gut lumen.

Inability to digest lactose, leading to osmotic diarrhea.

A test to differentiate between secretory and osmotic diarrhea.

290 - (2 x sodium + 2 x potassium).

Indicates osmotic diarrhea (greater than 50).

Indicates secretory diarrhea (less than 50).

Autoimmune disease targeting small intestine, triggered by gluten.

Combination of gliadin and glutenin proteins.

Pathogenic protein in gluten.

Gliadin protein conversion triggered by tissue transglutaminase.

Enzyme that deamidates gliadin.

Shortened villi in the small intestine (celiac sprue histology).

An immune-mediated disorder triggered by gluten consumption, affecting mainly the small intestine, particularly the duodenum.

The shortening and flattening of the villi in the small intestine, a characteristic feature of celiac sprue.

An increase in the number of crypts (depressions) in the small intestine, a sign of celiac sprue.

An increased number of lymphocytes (immune cells) in the lamina propria layer of the small intestine, an indication of celiac sprue.

Antibodies directed against gliadin, a protein found in gluten. Less reliable for diagnosis.

Antibodies directed against tissue transglutaminase, an enzyme involved in gluten breakdown. High diagnostic accuracy.

Antibodies against the smooth muscle and connective tissue surrounding the intestinal lining.

A class of antibodies, often the first to be detected in diagnostic testing for celiac.

Another class of antibodies, used if IgA levels are low, as certain patients are IgA deficient.

The first part of the small intestine, most commonly affected in celiac sprue.

A diet excluding wheat, barley, and rye to manage symptoms of celiac sprue.

The inability of the intestines to absorb nutrients properly, a symptom of celiac disease.

Fatty, foul-smelling stools, often a symptom of malabsorption from celiac disease.

A condition resulting from impaired iron absorption in the duodenum, potentially a symptom of celiac disease.

A step-by-step process used to diagnose celiac disease primarily based on antibody tests and a possible biopsy.

A condition where the pancreas doesn't produce enough enzymes for fat digestion.

Fat in the stool, a symptom of malabsorption.

Too many bacteria in the small intestine, causing fermentation, inflammation, and malabsorption.

Problems with the movement of food through the small intestine.

A test to diagnose bacterial overgrowth in the gut, measuring hydrogen production.

A test to measure the amount of fat in the stool, used to detect fat malabsorption.

A test to assess carbohydrate absorption in the small intestine.

An abnormal increase in bacteria in the small intestine, leading to malabsorption.

Vitamins that are absorbed along with fats.

The inability to absorb nutrients properly from the digestive tract.

Bacteria in the intestine producing hydrogen gas from non-absorbed sugars.

A substance that draws water into the digestive tract, increasing volume and motility.

Movement of food through the intestines.

A rare bacterial infection primarily affecting the small intestine, characterized by foamy macrophages.

A tell-tale sign of Whipple's disease, revealing bacteria-filled macrophages.

Inability to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products.

A disaccharide sugar composed of galactose and glucose.

An enzyme that breaks down lactose into galactose and glucose.

The most common cause of lactose intolerance, where lactase production decreases with age.

A rare condition where individuals are born with insufficient lactase.

Lactase deficiency resulting from small intestine damage.

A diagnostic test for lactose intolerance, measuring hydrogen in the breath post-lactose ingestion.

A test involving monitoring blood glucose after lactose consumption.

Inability of the pancreas to produce enough digestive enzymes.

Clear from history, symptom improvement after dairy avoidance, or positive breath hydrogen test.

A procedure used to examine the small intestine's lining for signs of disease, such as Whipple's

A type of sugar formed by the combination of two monosaccharides.

Patients with celiac disease have a slightly increased risk of developing small bowel cancer, specifically adenocarcinoma and T-cell lymphoma (EATL).

A rare type of cancer linked to celiac disease, where T-cells, important in immune responses, become abnormal and form a tumor.

A skin condition characterized by herpes-like skin lesions, linked to celiac disease.

A key characteristic of dermatitis herpetiformis. IgA proteins build up in the small bumps (dermal papillae) beneath the skin, triggering inflammation.

A malabsorption syndrome, probably infectious, occurring in tropical regions and similar to celiac disease, but often affecting the entire small bowel.

Tropical sprue often affects the entire small bowel, impacting absorption in the jejunum and ileum, unlike celiac disease which is typically found in the duodenum.

Tropical sprue is often associated with folate and B12 deficiencies due to impairment in absorption in the small bowel.

A systemic infection with the Tropheryma whipplei bacteria, affecting the small intestine, joints, brain, and heart, resulting in malabsorption.

The classic signs of Whipple's disease include diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, and joint pains.

Whipple's disease can also present with enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes, hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin), central nervous system involvement, and potentially culture-negative endocarditis.

The key difference between celiac and tropical sprue for diagnosis lies in their intestinal location. Celiac disease primarily affects the duodenum, while tropical sprue often affects the whole small bowel.

Celiac disease patients may show persistent worsening of symptoms despite adhering to a strict gluten-free diet, potentially indicating the development of small bowel cancer.

Conditions impacting the absorption of nutrients in the intestines, leading to varied symptoms.

Treatment for tropical sprue typically involves antibiotics especially tetracycline and supplementing with folate and B12.

Intestines failing to absorb nutrients properly.

Inability to absorb fat, leading to fatty stools.

Fatty, foul-smelling, bulky stool that floats.

Inability to absorb sugars, causing watery diarrhea.

Inability to absorb amino acids, often leading to low albumin and edema.

Loose stools due to non-absorbable substances drawing water into the gut.

Common symptom of malabsorption, caused by poor nutrient intake.

Stool lacking normal brown color due to bile deficiency, common in fat malabsorption.

Greasy, foul-smelling stools that float due to high fat content, often a sign of malabsorption.

Diarrhea with red and white blood cells in the stool, often due to infection or inflammatory bowel disease.

Fluid diarrhea caused by either secretory or osmotic mechanisms.

Diarrhea caused by substances that stimulate fluid secretion in the gut, often triggered by toxins.

Watery diarrhea caused by non-absorbable substances drawing water into the gut lumen.

A test to differentiate between secretory and osmotic diarrhea.

290 - (2 x sodium + 2 x potassium).

Suggests osmotic diarrhea (greater than 50).

Suggests secretory diarrhea (less than 50).

An autoimmune disease damaging the small intestine's villi, triggered by gluten.

Combination of gliadin and glutenin proteins.

Shortening and flattening of villi in the small intestine, a characteristic of celiac sprue.

Gliadin protein conversion by tissue transglutaminase.

An autoimmune disease triggered by gluten, primarily affecting the small intestine, especially the duodenum.

Shortening and flattening of the villi in the small intestine, a key sign of celiac sprue.

An increase in the number of crypts in the small intestine, a feature of celiac sprue.

Increased immune cells (lymphocytes) in the lamina propria of the small intestine, indicating celiac sprue.

Antibodies produced against gliadin (a protein component of gluten).

Antibodies against tissue transglutaminase, an enzyme related to gluten breakdown.

Antibodies against the connective tissue surrounding the intestinal lining.

A type of antibody, commonly checked first in celiac disease diagnosis.

A type of antibody, used if IgA levels are low, as some patients are IgA deficient.

The first part of the small intestine, most commonly affected in celiac sprue.

A diet excluding wheat, barley, and rye; crucial for managing celiac sprue.

The body's inability to absorb nutrients adequately in the small intestine.

Fatty, foul-smelling stools, a symptom of malabsorption in celiac sprue.

A step-by-step process for diagnosing celiac sprue using antibody tests, IgA and IgG detection, with or without a small bowel biopsy.

Celiac disease slightly increases the risk of small bowel cancer, particularly adenocarcinoma and T-cell lymphoma.

A rare cancer linked to celiac disease; T-cells (part of the immune system) become cancerous.

A skin condition with herpes-like lesions, often linked to celiac disease.

A key feature of dermatitis herpetiformis, where IgA proteins build up in the skin.

Tropical sprue often affects the entire small intestine, unlike celiac which is mostly in the duodenum.

Tropical sprue frequently causes folate and B12 deficiencies due to malabsorption in the entire small intestine.

A bacterial infection affecting the small intestine, joints, brain, and heart with foamy macrophages.

Classic symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, and joint pains.

Patients with celiac disease may experience worsening symptoms despite a gluten-free diet, potentially indicating cancer development.

Treatment usually involves antibiotics (e.g., tetracycline) and supplementing with folate and B12.

The primary difference in diagnosis lies in their intestinal location. Celiac disease primarily affects the duodenum, while tropical sprue often affects the entire small bowel.

Celiac disease mildly increases the small bowel cancer risk, particularly adenocarcinoma and T-cell lymphoma (EATL).

A particular type of small intestinal cancer linked to celiac disease, affecting T-cells.

A rare bacterial infection mainly affecting the small intestine, often causing malabsorption

A characteristic finding in a small intestinal biopsy indicative of Whipple's disease

Inability to digest lactose, a sugar in milk and dairy products due to insufficient lactase

Enzyme that breaks down lactose into galactose and glucose.

Most common cause of lactose intolerance; lactase production decreases with age.

Diagnostic test for lactose intolerance; measures hydrogen in breath after lactose consumption

Lactose intolerance resulting from small intestine damage, like infection or inflammation

Excessive bacteria in the small intestine, causing malabsorption

Inability of the pancreas to produce adequate digestive enzymes for proper fat digestion

Diarrhea caused by non-absorbable substances drawing water into the gut lumen.

Based on history (dairy-related symptoms), lack of dairy symptoms, lactose breath test, or rarely lactose tolerance test

Procedure examining the small intestine lining for signs of disease, often used in diagnosing Whipple's or other conditions

A sugar formed from two monosaccharides.

Rare condition where individuals are born with insufficient lactase.

The pancreas doesn't produce enough enzymes for fat digestion.

Fatty, foul-smelling stools due to fat malabsorption.

Excessive bacteria in the small intestine, leading to fermentation, inflammation, and malabsorption.

Problems with the movement of food through the small intestine.

A test to diagnose bacterial overgrowth in the gut, measuring hydrogen production.

A test to measure the amount of fat in the stool to detect fat malabsorption.

A test to assess carbohydrate absorption in the small intestine.

An abnormal increase in bacteria in the small intestine, causing malabsorption.

Vitamins absorbed with fats.

The intestines' inability to absorb nutrients properly.

Bacteria in the intestines produce hydrogen gas from undigested sugars.

A substance that draws water into the digestive tract to increase volume and motility.

Movement of food through the intestines.