What Are the Causes of Malabsorption & Weight Loss?

Malabsorption is a condition in which the digestive organs fail to absorb vital nutrients from foods, causing symptoms like diarrhea and weight loss. Many different conditions can cause malabsorption and some of these may lead to serious complications.
  1. Relationship

    • Weight loss and malabsorption often go hand-in-hand. Weight loss in patients with malabsorption syndromes generally results from longstanding malnutrition and chronic diarrhea. According to Wrong Diagnosis, fatigue, anemia and shortness of breath can also signal malabsorption syndromes.

    Primary Diseases

    • Malabsorption syndromes can stem from both genetic and acquired conditions. According to Medscape, celiac disease and cystic fibrosis remain the most common genetic causes of malabsorption, while lactose intolerance and food allergies present the most common acquired causes.

    Celiac Disease

    • Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition in which wheat gluten causes damage to villi in the small intestine, resulting in malabsorption of vital nutrients over time. According to the National Institutes of Health, celiac disease occurs at a rate of 1-in-133 (approximately 2 million people) in the U.S.

    Cystic Fibrosis

    • A genetic disorder that affects the mucus glands, cystic fibrosis can cause clogging of the lungs and other organs. According to Medscape, cystic fibrosis remains the second most common genetic cause of malabsorption, affecting some 8,774 people in the U.S.

    Complications

    • Conditions like osteoporosis can result from deficiencies of single nutrients like calcium, while non-specific complications like weight loss may occur as a result of general malnutrition. Anemia, failure to thrive and weight loss are among possible complications of malabsorption.

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