Malabsorption Syndromes: When the Small Intestine Can't Absorb Nutrients

What they are

Your small intestine does most of the work of digesting what you eat. In a malabsorption syndrome, it can't absorb nutrients from food.

Causes

• celiac disease;
• lactose intolerance;
• short bowel syndrome, after surgery to remove half or more of the small intestine — surgery you might need because of a disease, injury or birth defect of the small intestine;
• Whipple disease, a rare bacterial infection;
• genetic diseases;
• certain medicines.

Symptoms

They vary between syndromes, but often include chronic diarrhea, abnormal stools, weight loss and gas.

Diagnosis and treatment

Your doctor may use lab, imaging or other tests to make a diagnosis. Treatment depends on the cause.

Sources

Based on "Malabsorption Syndromes," MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine; a work of the United States government in the public domain.