Steatorrhea is one of the clinical features of fat malabsorption and noted in many conditions such as
Steatorrhea means that you have excessive amounts of fat in your poop. Fatty poops are different from normal poops. They tend to be looser, smellier and paler in color, like clay. They might float.
If you have too much fat in your stool, it may be a sign that food is moving through your digestive system without being broken down and absorbed correctly. This is called malabsorption. Having a fecal fat test is the best way to find out if you have malabsorption.
Yellow stool may indicate a malabsorption disorder caused by a parasite, illness, or disease.
Patients with steatorrhea present with bulky, pale, foul-smelling oily stools. These fatty stools tend to float in the toilet bowl and often challenging to flush as well. In the early stages, steatorrhea may be asymptomatic and go unnoticed.
Chronic diarrhea is the most common symptom and is what usually prompts evaluation of the patient. Steatorrhea—fatty stool, the hallmark of malabsorption—occurs when > 7 g/day of fat are excreted. Steatorrhea causes foul-smelling, pale, bulky, and greasy stools.
Symptoms and Signs of Malabsorption
Chronic diarrhea is the most common symptom and is what usually prompts evaluation of the patient. Steatorrhea—fatty stool, the hallmark of malabsorption—occurs when > 7 g/day of fat are excreted. Steatorrhea causes foul-smelling, pale, bulky, and greasy stools.
Regardless of the cause, malabsorption syndrome refers to the clinical picture comprising diarrhea, steatorrhea, malnutrition, weight loss, abdominal pain, and anemia. Undigested food produces diarrhea, due to its voluminous effect in the bowel lumen.
Malabsorption refers to decreased intestinal absorption of carbohydrate, protein, fat, minerals or vitamins. There are many symptoms associated with malabsorption. Weight loss, diarrhea, greasy stools (due to high fat content), abdominal bloating and gas are suggestive of malabsorption.
Stool studies
The patient is asked to ingest at least 80gm of fat per day, and stools are collected for 1–3 days. The total amount of fat excreted in the stool is determined in the laboratory. This is helpful in determining the degree of malabsorption; usually less than 7gm of fat per day are excreted in stool.
Treatment may include diet changes and supplements. If left untreated, malabsorption syndrome can cause complications like a weak immune system, nutrient deficiencies, and osteoporosis.
In people with chronic pancreatitis, the pancreas may not function normally, leading to difficulty processing fat in the diet (exocrine pancreatic insufficiency). This can cause loose, greasy, foul-smelling stools that are difficult to flush. This can lead to vitamin and nutrient deficiencies, including weight loss.
Fat malabsorption
Fats that aren't absorbed in your small intestine pass to your colon, causing fatty stools (steatorrhea). Fatty stools are greasy and runny and particularly smelly. They may be light-colored and float. Fat malabsorption also leads to the malabsorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K).
General physical examination
Patients may have orthostatic hypotension, complain of fatigue, and/or have signs of loss of subcutaneous fat. Signs of weight loss, muscle wasting, or both may be present. The abdomen may be distended, and bowel sounds may be hyperactive. Ascites may be present in severe hypoproteinemia.
Gastrointestinal issues: Many people notice bloating, abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting. Though these can also signal other health issues, they might be a sign of malabsorption as well. 2. Fatigue: When the body doesn't have all the nutrients it needs, it can be hard for it to produce energy.
Hematologic tests indicated in the workup of malabsorption include the following: A complete blood cell (CBC) count may reveal microcytic anemia due to iron deficiency or macrocytic anemia due to vitamin B12 (cobalamin) or B9 (folate) malabsorption.
Enzymes produced by the pancreas help absorb fats and other nutrients. A decrease of these enzymes makes it harder to absorb fats and certain nutrients.
Fat leaves the body as carbon dioxide when you breathe and is also released as water through urine and sweat. So if you think about it, that backs up why exercise is an important part of weight loss. Your body disposes of fat through sweat, urine, and exhaled air.
Your body must dispose of fat deposits through a series of complicated metabolic pathways. The byproducts of fat metabolism leave your body: As water, through your skin (when you sweat) and your kidneys (when you urinate). As carbon dioxide (CO2), through your lungs (when you breathe out).