digestive disorders
Overview of Malabsorption
Causes of Malabsorption
Normally, foods are digested and nutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals) are absorbed into the bloodstream mainly in the small intestine. Malabsorption may occur if a disorder Interferes with the digestion of food Interferes with the absorption of nutrients Digestion of food can be affected by Disorders that prevent adequate mixing of food with digestive enzymes and stomach acid Insufficient production of digestive enzymes Decreased production of bile Too much stomach acid Too little stomach acid ( Causes ) The wrong kinds of bacteria growing in the small intestine Inadequate mixing may occur in a person who has had part of the stomach surgically removed. In some disorders, the body produces inadequate amounts or types of digestive enzymes, which are necessary for the breakdown of food. For example, a common cause of malabsorption is insufficient production of digestive enzymes by the pancreas, which occurs with some pancreatic diseases, or by the small intestine, which occurs in Lactose Intolerance . Decreased production of bile, too much or too little acid in the stomach, or too many of the wrong kinds of bacteria growing in the small intestine (see Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) ) may also interfere with digestion. Absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream can be affected by Disorders that injure the lining of the small intestine Surgical removal of a large section of the small intestine Disorders that affect the flow of lymphatic fluid from the bowel The normal lining consists of small projections called villi and even smaller projections called microvilli, which create an enormous surface area for absorption. Overview of Gastroenteritis (bacterial, viral, or parasitic) and disorders such as Surgical removal of a large section of the small intestine substantially reduces the surface area for absorption (see Short Bowel Syndrome ). Disorders that affect the flow of lymphatic fluid from the bowel into the bloodstream (the path that fats must take to enter the bloodstream), such as malformation of intestinal lymph vessels (see Intestinal Lymphangiectasia ), blockage of lymph vessels due to lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic system), or impaired entry of lymph fluid into the bloodstream due to some heart disorders, also reduce absorption. 