What does fat in your stools mean?

Question

MY SON HAS HAD REALY BAD BOUTS OF RUNNY STOOLS SINCE HE WAS A TODDLER , HE IS NOW 8 YEARS, THIS COMES WITH BELLY ACHE AND NOT GETTING TO THE TOILET IN TIME. WE HAVE BEEN TO THE HOSPITAL YESTERDAY AND WAS TOLD HE HAS HAD FAT IN HIS STOOLS IN THE PAST, ANY IDEAS IF THIS COULD BE CAUSING HIM THE RUNS

Answer 1

Malabsorption syndrome

Definition

Malabsorption syndrome is an alteration in the ability of the intestine to absorb nutrients adequately into the bloodstream.

Causes and symptoms

Protein, fats, and carbohydrates (macronutrients) normally are absorbed in the small intestine; the small bowel also absorbs about 80% of the eight to ten liters of fluid ingested daily. There are many different conditions that affect fluid and nutrient absorption by the intestine. A fault in the digestive process may result from failure of the body to produce the enzymes needed to digest certain foods. Congenital structural defects or diseases of the pancreas, gall bladder, or liver may alter the digestive process. Inflammation, infection, injury, or surgical removal of portions of the intestine may also result in absorption problems; reduced length or surface area of intestine available for fluid and nutrient absorption can result in malabsorption. Radiation therapy may injure the mucosal lining of the intestine, resulting in diarrhea that may not become evident until several years later. The use of some antibiotics can also affect the bacteria that normally live in the intestine and affect intestinal function.

Risk factors for malabsorption syndrome include:


Family history of malabsorption or cystic fibrosis


Use of certain drugs, such as mineral oil or other laxatives


Travel to foreign countries


Intestinal surgery


Excess alcohol consumption.

The most common symptoms of malabsorption include:


Anemia, with weakness and fatigue due to inadequate absorption of vitamin B12, iron, and folic acid


Diarrhea, steatorrhea (excessive amount of fat in the stool), and abdominal distention with cramps, bloating, and gas due to impaired water and carbohydrate absorption, and irritation from unabsorbed fatty acids. The individual may also report explosive diarrhea with greasy, foul-smelling stools.


Edema (fluid retention in the body's tissues) due to decreased protein absorption


Malnutrition and weight loss due to decreased fat, carbohydrate, and protein absorption. Weight may be 80-90% of usual weight despite increased oral intake of nutrients.


Muscle cramping due to decreased vitamin D, calcium, and potassium levels


Muscle wasting and atrophy due to decreased protein absorption and metabolism


Perianal skin burning, itching, or soreness due to frequent loose stools.

Irregular heart rhythms may also result from inadequate levels of potassium and other electrolytes. Blood clotting disorders may occur due to a vitamin K deficiency. Children with malabsorption syndrome often exhibit a failure to grow and thrive.

Several disorders can lead to malabsorption syndrome, including cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis, lactose intolerance, and gluten enteropathy (non-tropical sprue.)

Tropical sprue is a malabsorptive disorder that is uncommon in the United States, but seen more often in people from the Caribbean, India, or southeast Asia. Although its cause is unknown, it is thought to be related to environmental factors, including infection, intestinal parasites, or possibly the consumption of certain food toxins. Symptoms often include a sore tongue, anemia, weight loss, along with diarrhea and passage of fatty stools.

Whipple's disease is a relatively rare malabsorptive disorder, affecting mostly middle-aged men. The cause is thought to be related to bacterial infection, resulting in nutritional deficiencies, chronic low-grade fever, diarrhea, joint pain, weight loss, and darkening of the skin's pigmentation. Other organs of the body may be affected, including the brain, heart, lungs, and eyes.

Short bowel syndromes--which may be present at birth (congenital) or the result of surgery--reduce the surface area of the bowel available to absorb nutrients and can also result in malabsorption syndrome.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of malabsorption syndrome and identification of the underlying cause can require extensive diagnostic testing. The first phase involves a thorough medical history and physical examination by a physician, who will then determine the appropriate laboratory studies and x rays to assist in diagnosis. A 72-hour stool collection may be ordered for fecal fat measurement; increased fecal fat in the stool collected indicates malabsorption. A biopsy of the small intestine may be done to assist in differentiating between malabsorption syndrome and small bowel disease. Ultrasound, computed tomography scan (CT scan), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), barium enema, or other x rays to identify abnormalities of the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas may also be ordered.

Laboratory studies of the blood may include:


Serum cholesterol. May be low due to decreased fat absorption and digestion.


Serum sodium, potassium, and chloride. May be low due to electrolyte losses with diarrhea.


Serum calcium. May be low due to vitamin D and amino acid malabsorption.


Serum protein and albumin. May be low due to protein losses.


Serum vitamin A and carotene. May be low due to bile salt deficiency and impaired fat absorption.


D-xylose test. Decreased excretion may indicate malabsorption.


Schilling test. May indicate malabsorption of vitamin B12.

Treatment

Fluid and nutrient monitoring and replacement is essential for any individual with malabsorption syndrome. Hospitalization may be required when severe fluid and electrolyte imbalances occur. Consultation with a dietitian to assist with nutritional support and meal planning is helpful. If the patient is able to eat, the diet and supplements should provide bulk and be rich in carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals, and vitamins. The patient should be encouraged to eat several small, frequent meals throughout the day, avoiding fluids and foods that promote diarrhea. Intake and output should be monitored, along with the number, color, and consistency of stools.

The individual with malabsorption syndrome must be monitored for dehydration, including dry tongue, mouth and skin; increased thirst; low, concentrated urine output; or feeling weak or dizzy when standing. Pulse and blood pressure should be monitored, observing for increased or irregular pulse rate, or hypotension (low blood pressure). The individual should also be alert for signs of nutrient, vitamin, and mineral depletion, including nausea or vomiting; fissures at corner of mouth; fatigue or weakness; dry, pluckable hair; easy bruising; tingling in fingers or toes; and numbness or burning sensation in legs or feet. Fluid volume excess, as a result of diminished protein stores, may require fluid intake restrictions. The physician should also be notified of any shortness of breath.

Other specific medical management for malabsorption syndrome is dependent upon the cause. Treatment for tropical sprue consists of folic acid supplements and long-term antibiotics. Depending on the severity of the disorder, this treatment may be continued for six months or longer. Whipple's disease also may require long-term use of antibiotics, such as tetracycline. Management of some individuals with malabsorption syndrome may require injections of vitamin B12 and oral iron supplements. The doctor may also prescribe enzymes to replace missing intestinal enzymes, or antispasmodics to reduce abdominal cramping and associated diarrhea. People with cystic fibrosis and chronic pancreatitis require pancreatic supplements. Those with lactose intolerance or gluten enteropathy (non-tropical sprue) will have to modify their diets to avoid foods that they cannot properly digest.

Prognosis

The expected course for the individual with malabsorption syndrome varies depending on the cause. The onset of symptoms may be slow and difficult to diagnose. Treatment may be long, complicated, and changed often for optimal effectiveness. Patience and a positive attitude are important in controlling or curing the disorder. Careful monitoring is necessary to prevent additional illnesses cause by nutritional deficiencies.

Key Terms


Anemia
A decrease in the number of red blood cells in the bloodstream, characterized by pallor, loss of energy, and generalized weakness.


Atrophy
A wasting away of a tissue or organ, often because of insufficient nutrition.


Biopsy
A tissue sample removed from the body for examination under the microscope.


Cystic fibrosis
A hereditary genetic disorder that occurs most often in Caucasians. Thick, sticky secretions from mucus-producing glands cause blockages in the pancreatic ducts and the airways.


Edema
From the Greek word meaning swelling, an excessive accumulation of fluid in the tissue spaces. Excessive generalized edema may also be referred to as ascites.


Gluten enteropathy
A hereditary malabsorption disorder caused by sensitivity to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, barley, and oats. Also called non-tropical sprue or celiac disease.


Intestines
The intestines, also known as the bowels, are divided into the large and small intestines. They extend from the stomach to the anus.


Short bowel syndrome
A condition in which the bowel is not as long as normal, either because of surgery or because of a congenital defect. Because the bowel has less surface area to absorb nutrients, it can result in malabsorption syndrome.


Steatorrhea
An excessive amount of fat in the stool.

Answer 2

Fat In Stool

Answer 3

I doubt that fat is the culprit of his problems. Usually fat in the stool is a symptom of another problem. Since you have been to the ER and probably to several doctors I am assuming you are leaving out a series of opinions and treatments directed to your son. Since you know how to use yahoo answers, then you probably know how to utilize the internet to help give you more insight. I don't know if they've done this or not but you may request a colonoscopy. Check for polyps and make sure that they check the stomach for h. pylori. It's nothing serious but can cause some of the symptoms you described.

I don't want to scare you, but here's a true story for you. My cousin had similar complaints as a child and we used to make fun of him for his "red alerts". He was diagnosed with several different disorders growing up. Most frequently, IBS. He continued with the problems until he was 31 when they finally discovered that he had advanced colon cancer. He died at age 32.

The moral of the story is that things aren't always what they seem. Keep on trying and when you feel that a doctor has "written" you off switch to another. Be informed and don't be afraid to suggest or request testing.

Good luck.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

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Floating stools are seen in a variety of different situations. Most are diet-related, or caused by episodes of diarrhea that accompany an acute gastrointestinal infection. A change in dietary habits can lead to an increase in the amount of gas produced by bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. Similarly, acute gastrointestinal (GI) infections can result in increased gas content in the intestines, due to rapid movement of food through the GI tract. One wrong idea is that floating stools are caused by an increase in the fat content of the stool. In fact, it is increased gas levels in the stool that make it less dense and allow it to float. Another cause of floating stools is malabsorption. More than two weeks of diarrhea with floating stools is often seen in people suffering from malabsorption, a dysfunction in the GI tract that affects the body's ability to digest and absorb fat and other types of foods. Increased levels of nutrients in the stool (which have not been absorbed by the GI tract) are supplied to the normal bacteria that live in the gut, which in turn produce more gas. This results in more gas-rich stools that float. Common Causes Return to top Dietary changes, diarrhea, and malabsorption can cause floating stools. Most causes are benign and will resolve when the infection ends or the bacteria in the GI tract adjust to the changes in your diet. Patients with the following diseases may also have stool that floats: Cystic fibrosis Gluten-induced enteropathy (sprue or celiac disease) Idiopathic steatorrhea (fatty stools with no known cause) Disaccharides deficiency (insufficient amounts of the sugar-digesting enzymes lactase, sucrase, or isomaltase) Short bowel syndrome Biliary atresia Abetalipoproteinemia

Answer 6

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What does fat in your stools mean?
MY SON HAS HAD REALY BAD BOUTS OF RUNNY STOOLS SINCE HE WAS A TODDLER , HE IS NOW 8 YEARS, THIS COMES WITH BELLY ACHE AND NOT GETTING TO THE TOILET IN TIME. WE HAVE BEEN TO THE HOSPITAL YESTERDAY AND WAS TOLD HE HAS HAD FAT IN HIS STOOLS IN THE PAST, ANY IDEAS IF THIS COULD BE CAUSING HIM THE RUNS

Answer 7

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Answer 9

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Answer 10

It means that your son's body does not absorb the fats which causes weight loss, scaly skin and other signs..See full information here:-

Answer 11

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