These Causes and Ways to Overcome Food Malabsorption

Food malabsorption occurs when digestion is unable to absorb food nutrients. This condition generally occurs due to digestive disorders. Digestive disorders that affect only one type of nutrient are more easily overcome, such as lactose intolerance where the body cannot accept lactose. However, if digestive disorders affect the intestine and develop more seriously, it can cause the body to lack nutrients, vitamins and minerals.

Recognize the Causes

Many things cause food malabsorption. One of them is the change in bacteria that is usually present in the digestive tract, which can be influenced by an infection or certain treatment measures. Carefully taking antibiotics can at least help prevent this. Because, prolonged use of antibiotics can cause difficulties in the intestine to absorb nutrients. Also, be aware of certain medications such as colchicine. The drug can injure the intestine so that the intestinal work in absorbing food becomes disturbed. Some types of diseases can also cause food malabsorption. For example cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis, Crohn's disease, celiac disease, HIV and intestinal worms. Likewise with gallbladder disease, pancreas, and liver can be a cause of food malabsorption. Surgery can also be one of the causes of food malabsorption. For example, removal of the gallbladder and cutting the intestine. Because, this action can change the length of the intestinal tract, becoming shorter. In addition, a swollen or infected intestine makes it difficult for the intestine to absorb nutrients from food. You may have heard of biliary atresia. This disease is a congenital disease that already occurs when a baby is born, a condition in which the gallbladder ducts do not develop normally. This condition can also affect the occurrence of food malabsorption. Sometimes these food malabsorption is caused by the condition of the body itself. It is possible that the digestive organs are not able to mix food with acids and enzymes that have been produced. Or, even the digestive organs are unable to produce the enzymes needed to digest food.

Right Action for Malabsorption of Food

To make sure the body is experiencing food malabsorption, careful examination is needed. One sign of food malabsorption is weight loss, although it is not always absolute as a sign of digestion not being able to work optimally. Generally, food malabsorption is accompanied by other symptoms, such as bloating and discomfort in the stomach, diarrhea, stool that smells sharp, and feel weak. Food malabsorption cannot be tolerated. If it occurs in adults it can cause weight loss, whereas in children can have a greater risk. In addition to weight loss, growth and development of children can also be hampered. Food malabsorption must be overcome immediately. The doctor may conduct a thorough examination, to assess the nutritional status of sufferers of food malabsorption, also to find out the cause. There are two ways to deal with this condition, namely:

• Meeting nutritional needs

Restore the balance of nutritional levels, by providing intake that contains protein and calorie substitutes. The need for vitamins and minerals such as iron, calcium and magnesium as much as possible is fulfilled.

• Treatment of disease

Handling food malabsorption caused by certain diseases, adjusted for the illness. For example, people with lactose intolerance should avoid foods containing lactose. Provision of digestive enzymes such as proteases and lipases may be given to patients with pancreatic dysfunction. Provision of other drugs such as antibiotics and anti-inflammatory corticosteroids, can be given with full consideration by doctors, according to the conditions and needs of patients from the results of a careful examination.

If you feel symptoms of food malabsorption, don't try to overcome it yourself. To ascertain the causes and treatment of food malabsorption should be done in consultation with a doctor.