Pathophysiology

Pathophysiology Study Guide

©2018 of 131 Malabsorption Syndrome Malabsorption syndrome consists of the disorders characterized by the inability of the intestine to absorb certain nutrients into the bloodstream. Generally, the nutrients are absorbed in the small intestine. In the case of malabsorption syndrome, nutrients and fluids are prevented from proper absorption. This may be because of inflammation, injury to the lining of the intestine, or intrinsic disease, due to which the body fails to produce necessary enzymes needed for digestion. Causes of malabsorption syndrome include prolonged use of an antibiotic; diseases, like celiac disease, Crohn's disease, chronic pancreatitis, and cystic fibrosis; lactose intolerance; congenital defects, like biliary atresia; diseases of the gall bladder, liver, and pancreas; damaging of the intestine; parasitic diseases; and radiation therapy. Symptoms of malabsorption vary as per the nutrient that is not adequately absorbed. In cases of fat deficiency, the stool would be light in color, soft, bulky, and foul smelling; a deficiency of protein would cause edema and dryness in the hair or even hair loss. A sugar deficiency would have symptoms of bloating, flatulence, or explosive diarrhea. Finally, the deficiency of a vitamin would show the symptoms of anemia, malnutrition, hypotension, unintended weight loss, and wasting of muscles. Sprue/Celiac Disease Celiac disease is characterized by a reaction to eating gluten, due to which inflammation is caused in the lining of the small intestine, which causes an inadequate absorption of nutrients. Gluten is a type of protein, normally found in wheat, rye, and barley. There is no certain cause of celiac disease but it is caused when the immune systemof the body over reacts and damages the tiny, hair-like projections located on the lining of the small intestine, known as villi. The main function of villi is to absorb nutrients, so damaging them causes malabsorption. It has been studied and found that the risk factors for celiac disease are mutations in genes, surgery, pregnancy, childbirth, emotional stress, and viral infections. Signs and symptoms of celiac disease include diarrhea, unintended weight loss, constipation, obesity, anemia, osteoporosis, osteomalacia, dermatitis herpetiformis, damaging of enamel of teeth, headache and fatigue, pain in the joints, acid reflux, heart burn, numbness and tingling in the feet and hands, and hyposplenism. 7.3 Peptic Ulcer Diseases Peptic ulcer disease is characterized by the development of open sores on the inner lining of the esophagus, upper portion of the small intestine, and stomach. There are different types of peptic ulcers, which are reviewed below. Types Peptic ulcers are categorized into three types: gastric ulcers, esophageal ulcers, and duodenal ulcers. Gastric ulcers are the open sores that appear in the inner portion of the stomach. Esophagus ulcers are those open sores that occur on the inside of the esophagus, which helps to transfer the swallowed food down from the throat to the stomach. Finally, duodenal ulcers are the open sores that appear inside the upper part of the small intestine, termed as duodenum. Achieve Page 114