Expert treatment for malabsorption syndrome in Plano and Dallas
At Gastroenterology Specialists of North Texas, we provide expert diagnosis and leading-edge care for malabsorption syndrome. Patients with this condition have difficulty with the second stage of the digestive process, the absorption of nutrients from digested food. If nutrients aren’t absorbed, (usually because of damage to the small intestine's mucous lining), they pass out of the body during the third digestive stage, elimination. Over time, this can lead to severe health problems from malnutrition, including frequent infections, dehydration, muscle wasting, osteoporosis and many others.
Early detection of malabsorption and its underlying causes greatly increases a patient’s long-term prognosis. However, because there are many causes of malabsorption and several different types, diagnosing malabsorption can be challenging and should be done by a skilled GI specialist. Our gastroenterologists offer the latest testing and treatment services, designed to restore your health as quickly as possible.
What is Malabsorption syndrome
Patients with malabsorptive syndrome have problems absorbing nutrients from the foods they eat. This digestive disorder has many causes, but it almost always involves damage to the small intestine's mucous lining, where most of your body’s nutrients are absorbed. Ulcerative colitis and celiac disease are two causes of malabsorption syndrome. Untreated malabsorption can lead to malnutrition, even if you eat a healthy diet. We offer comprehensive care for this often-hidden cause of malnutrition by helping you find relief from your symptoms as well as identifying and treating the underlying causes.
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Causes and types of malabsorption syndrome
Malabsorption has many causes, including gastrointestinal diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IB) and celiac disease (CD). These typically cause general malabsorption of all kinds of nutrients. Other conditions may cause difficulty absorbing specific nutrients, such as carbohydrates and fat. Protein malabsorption includes intolerances to milk (lactose) and gluten.
Testing for malabsorption syndrome
We offer comprehensive testing and expert diagnosis for malabsorption syndrome. Each test is intended to check for specific types of malabsorption, help diagnose an underlying condition, and/or identify additional potentially contributing issues, such as bacterial or parasitic infections.
Tests your specialist may order for you include:
- Blood tests
- Hydrogen breath tests
- Imaging tests, such as a GI X-ray exam, endoscopic ultrasound or video capsule endoscopy
- Small intestine biopsy (endoscopy with tissue sample collection)
- Stool tests
- Sweat tests, specific to patients with cystic fibrosis (a leading cause of malabsorption in the U.S.)
Treatment for malabsorption syndrome
Malabsorption affects patients differently, so treatment is based on the underlying causes and effects. We will create a personalized, two-step care plan to treat your unique combination of underlying causes and effects. To address the effects of malabsorption, you may need supplemental nutrition, the replacement of specific digestive enzymes, or food additives to prevent symptoms such as diarrhea. To treat the underlying cause, you may need to adjust your diet or take a course of antibiotics. In other cases, further testing and treatment may be necessary.