Steatorrhea is a pathology, the main manifestation of which is the presence of fatty deposits in the feces. Exceeding the norm is the presence of more than 5 grams of fat in the feces. In individuals, this indicator can reach several hundred grams.
The main forms of pathology
The cause of the change in the composition of feces can be steatorrhea, creatorrhea, amylorrhea. We consider each phenomenon separately.
- Steatorrhea is a malfunction of the digestive system, in which neutral fats or fatty acids accumulate in the feces.
- Creatorrhea is a pathology that occurs in response to malabsorption of nutrients in the intestines. It is accompanied by an accumulation of nitrogen in the feces. In the absence of appropriate treatment, it can develop into pancreatitis.
- Amylorrhea is a phenomenon characterized by the appearance in stools of a significant amount of starch grains, which are not split by the digestive system into sugars.
Types of steatorrhea
Specialists distinguish the following types of pathology:
- Alimentary steatorrhea - caused by the intake of excessive amounts of fat in the body, the digestive system is unable to cope with the digestion.
- Intestinal steatorrhea - the inability of the intestine to absorb fats leads to the development of the disease.
- Pancreatic steatorrhea is a pathology in which the pancreas produces an insufficient amount of the lipase enzyme necessary for the breakdown of fats.
Causes
Congenital defects in the development of the digestive system, which can occur at a late age, can provoke the development of the disease. Often the appearance of such failures in the body leads to the construction of a daily diet based on an abundance of fatty foods, which in the most negative way affects the work of the pancreas.
What else can cause steatorrhea? The causes of the ailment also lie in the extinction of the working capacity of the endocrine glands. In particular, diseases of the gallbladder, inflammation of its ducts contribute to the development of pathology.
Symptomatology
Steatorrhea, creatorrhea lead to an abundance of loose stools. Calla acquires a grayish or light shade. Patients feel frequent urge to defecate. With an extremely high fat content in calluses, constipation can occur. Along with the indicated manifestations, patients periodically experience severe dizziness, rumbling in the intestines, and suffer from bloating.
The main visual manifestation of steatorrhea is rapid weight loss with abundant nutrition and moderate physical exertion. The skin of people affected by an ailment is covered with a dry crust, they are peeling. Over time, pale lips are observed, cracks form in the corners of the mouth. This is how steatorrhea manifests itself, the symptoms of which indicate insufficient saturation of tissues with fatty acids.
Diagnostics
To confirm a disappointing diagnosis, the patient must undergo a consultation with a gastroenterologist. The doctor listens to complaints, carries out palpation of the abdomen, which allows you to detect stagnation of fat masses in the small intestine.
Next, resort to instrumental research methods. In particular, retroscopy of the digestive system makes it possible to determine the degree of atrophy of the mucous membranes, to identify puffiness.
The most important point in the course of diagnosis is the analysis of the stool, a detailed study of its structure. Here resort to microscopic and macroscopic evaluation of bowel movements. In addition, colonoscopy, a radioisotope research technique, ultrasound can be used.
Prevention
As effective preventive measures aimed at preventing the development of the disease, it is worth noting:
- development of a diet based on a balanced amount of fatty, carbohydrate and protein foods;
- refusal to drink alcohol, which can cause malfunctioning of organs, which are responsible for digestion and removal of toxic substances from the body;
- moderate consumption of fried foods and foods with plenty of spices.
Secondary preventive measures include the timely detection and elimination of diseases that can provoke insufficient breakdown of fats in the body and, accordingly, the formation of characteristic deposits in the feces. For example, for these purposes, they often resort to antibiotic suppression of infections that develop in the small intestine.
Steatorrhea: treatment
During therapy, the patient is prescribed a course of drugs with a high content of lipase. The active substances in the composition of medicines of a similar plan prevent the premature destruction of digestive enzymes under the influence of gastric juices.
Among effective drugs, the use of which eliminates the manifestations of steatorrhea, it should be noted:
- Pancreatin.
- "Maalox."
- "Creon."
- "Phosphalugel."
- Gastal.
In the most advanced cases, patients are prescribed taking drugs containing adrenocorticotropic hormone and hydrochloric acid. Patients are advised to take vitamin complexes. In parallel, therapy is carried out using ascorbic and nicotinic acids.
In the treatment of steatorrhea, the emphasis is on the use of low-fat meat, boiled fish, low-fat milk. Patients are allowed vegetable broths. In a limited amount, secondary broth from lean chicken or lean beef is allowed.
Possible complications
Without proper treatment, steatorrhea in the late stages of development can cause the following negative consequences for the body:
- Protein deficiency - a regressive state is associated with insufficient absorption of proteins in the tissue.
- Hypovitaminosis - occurs as a result of the absence in the body of a sufficient amount of fat-soluble trace elements.
- General exhaustion of the body.
- The development of water-salt imbalance is expressed by a feeling of constant thirst, dehydration, the occurrence of puffiness on the body, excessive dryness of the mucous membranes.
- Convulsive conditions are involuntary muscle contractions of a paroxysmal nature.
- Oxaluria - elimination of an excessive amount of oxalic acid from the body. The pathology is characterized by the formation of insoluble stones, which clog the urinary tract and renal canals.
- The defeat of important organs and systems - the heart, lungs, brain.
- The development of mental problems - decreased performance, sleep disturbance, loss of concentration, difficulty in mental operations.
Steatorrhea during pregnancy
Steatorrhea is characteristic of women who have a fetus. Usually, pathology manifests itself in late pregnancy. In most cases, the formation of fatty deposits in the stool provokes a slowdown in the outflow of bile due to the pressure of the uterus on the gallbladder.
In pregnant women, the disease manifests itself in an abundant formation of a liquid fetid stool, which has a colorless hue. In this case, the mucus secreted by the body turns yellow.
Later, the disease can provoke a decrease in blood coagulability, which makes it difficult to stop bleeding directly during childbirth. Without adequate diagnosis and treatment, the violation leads to weakening of the bone tissue of the fetus. In some cases, the consequence of the development of the disease is visual impairment in both the mother and the child.
The use of complex treatment methods allows completely eliminating the manifestations of steatorrhea during gestation. In addition to taking appropriate medications, the expectant mother is prescribed a strict diet. In particular, a pregnant woman is recommended to refrain from spicy, fatty, fried foods, and vitamins of groups A, D, E, K are prescribed.
Steatorrhea in infants
The development of the disease in newborns is often due to insufficient development of the liver, the cause of which is pathological genetics. A prerequisite for the occurrence of the disease can be congenital lesions of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract.
As for the main causes of steatorrhea in babies, it is worth noting, first of all, the insufficient amount of gastric enzymes that are involved in the breakdown of fats. The formation of substances that contribute to the formation of a healthy metabolism occurs naturally during the first three months of life. Until this time (if there is a malfunction in the body), the use of medications allows eliminating the lack of enzymes.
Finally
Steatorrhea is a rather unpleasant ailment, the main danger of which is the high probability of the development of a whole mass of deviations in the functioning of vital organs and systems.
As practice shows, effectively combating an illness makes it possible to eat rationally with moderately fatty foods and saturate the body with vitamins. Such simple steps allow you to quickly transfer the disease to the stage of remission and avoid negative consequences.