What is steatorrhea?
Steatorrhea, also known as steatorrhea or steatorrhea, is a chronic diarrhea symptom caused by maldigestion or absorption of fat. The fat content in patients' feces is abnormally increased, which often manifests as greasy, foul-smelling feces that float on the water, and may be accompanied by complications such as weight loss and malnutrition. Below is a detailed analysis of steatorrhea.
1. Causes of steatorrhea
Common causes of steatorrhea can be divided into the following categories:
| Cause classification | specific disease or factor |
|---|---|
| pancreatic disease | Chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, post-pancreatectomy |
| Hepatobiliary diseases | Cholestasis, cirrhosis, biliary obstruction |
| intestinal diseases | Crohn's disease, celiac disease, short bowel syndrome |
| other factors | Bacterial overgrowth, certain medications (such as orlistat) |
2. Clinical manifestations of steatorrhea
Typical symptoms of steatorrhea include:
| Symptoms | Description |
|---|---|
| Stool characteristics | Greasy, foul-smelling, floating, light color (off-white) |
| digestive symptoms | Abdominal bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea (more than 3 times a day) |
| systemic symptoms | Weight loss, fatigue, vitamin deficiency (such as A/D/E/K) |
3. Diagnostic methods
The diagnosis of steatorrhea requires a combination of clinical manifestations and laboratory tests:
| Check items | meaning |
|---|---|
| fecal fat test | Diagnosis can be confirmed if the amount of fecal fat in 24 hours is >7g |
| blood test | Assess nutritional status (eg, albumin, vitamin levels) |
| Imaging examination | Abdominal CT/MRI to detect pancreatic or hepatobiliary diseases |
| endoscopy | Small bowel biopsy (if celiac disease is suspected) |
4. Treatment plan
Treatment needs to target the cause while improving nutrient absorption:
| Treatment direction | Specific measures |
|---|---|
| Cause treatment | Pancreatic enzyme replacement (pancreatic enzyme capsules), bile acid supplement |
| diet modification | Low-fat diet, medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) replacement |
| nutritional support | Supplement fat-soluble vitamins (A/D/E/K) |
| Symptomatic treatment | Antidiarrheal drugs (such as loperamide) relieve symptoms |
5. Prevention and precautions
1.Regular physical examination:Especially those with a history of chronic pancreatitis or intestinal disease.
2.Diet management:Avoid high-fat foods and choose easily digestible proteins and carbohydrates.
3.Use drugs with caution:Avoid long-term use of medications that may damage the pancreas or intestines.
4.Seek medical attention promptly:If diarrhea lasts for more than 2 weeks or is accompanied by sudden weight loss, you need to get checked out as soon as possible.
6. Recent relevant hot spots (last 10 days)
1.Research on new pancreatic enzyme preparations:Scientists have developed acid-resistant pancreatic enzyme capsules to improve fat digestion efficiency.
2.Celiac Disease Screening Popularity:Hospitals in many places have promoted serological testing for early diagnosis and treatment of causes related to steatorrhea.
3.Health science controversy:There is a rumor circulating on the Internet that "ketogenic diet causes steatorrhea", and experts clarify that individualized evaluation is needed.
Steatorrhea is not fatal, but if left untreated for a long time, it can lead to severe malnutrition. Through scientific diagnosis and comprehensive management, the symptoms of most patients can be significantly improved. If you have any concerns, it is recommended to see a gastroenterologist as soon as possible.
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