Steatorrhea and Lipid Digestion
August 7th 2008 13:54
INTRODUCTION
Steatorrhea is the formation of non-solid feces. Stools may also float due to excess fat from malabsorption, and have an oily appearance and be foul smelling. In this state an oily anal leakage or some level of fecal incontinence may occur. It is not a disease entity per se, but a symptom of a variety of diseases that compromise lipid or fat digestion and absorption. Among the causes of such diseases and compromised condition maybe the following: (1) defect in the production or action of the enzymes directed at digesting lipids from the food we eat; (2) bile deficiency; or (3) defective intestinal epithelium involved in lipid absorption.
In order for us to get a full grasp of what really happens in steatorrhea, we must have to discuss first how the digestive system normally digests the fats we eat, and how they are absorbed and carried into the circulation for future use.
TO BE CONTINUED...
Steatorrhea is the formation of non-solid feces. Stools may also float due to excess fat from malabsorption, and have an oily appearance and be foul smelling. In this state an oily anal leakage or some level of fecal incontinence may occur. It is not a disease entity per se, but a symptom of a variety of diseases that compromise lipid or fat digestion and absorption. Among the causes of such diseases and compromised condition maybe the following: (1) defect in the production or action of the enzymes directed at digesting lipids from the food we eat; (2) bile deficiency; or (3) defective intestinal epithelium involved in lipid absorption.
In order for us to get a full grasp of what really happens in steatorrhea, we must have to discuss first how the digestive system normally digests the fats we eat, and how they are absorbed and carried into the circulation for future use.
TO BE CONTINUED...
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