Malabsorption Flashcards
what is malabsorption
defective mucosal absorption
how is defective mucosal absorption caused
defective luminal digestion
mucosal disease
structural disorders
common causes of malabsorption
coeliac disease Crohn's disease post infection biliary obstruction (decreased) cirrhosis small bowel mucosa tropical
uncommon causes of malabsorption
pancreatic cancer parasites bacterial overgrowth drugs short bowel intestinal hurry
malabsorption states
protein
fat
carbohydrate
vitamin and minerals
symptoms of malabsorption
diarrhoea
weight loss
lethargy
steatorrhoea (increase in stool fat)
signs of deficiency
anaemia
bleeding disorders (decrease in vitamin K)
oedema (decreased protein)
metabolic one disease (decrease pitman D)
neurological features
signs of anaemia
decrease in iron, vitamin B12 and folate
tests for malabsorption
full blood count coeliac test INR (measure of blood clotting tie) stool - fat globules and microscopy ERCP liver function tests - albumin
blood tests results for malabsorption
decrease in; calcium iron vitamin B12 folate
diagnosing lactose malabsorption
lactose breath hydrogen test
alternative - oral lactose intolerance test
treatment for tropical sprue malabsorption
tetracycline and folic acid
causes of small bowel mucosa
whipple’s disease
tropical sprue
brush border enzyme deficiencies (lactase insufficiency)
describe treatment for whipple’s disease
antimicrobial
parasitic infections causing malabsorption
guardia lambida - found in contaminated water supplies (ponds)
