Overview of malabsorption

[Dianne]

Malabsorption syndrome refers to a number of disorders in which nutrients from food are not absorbed properly in the small intestine.

Certain disorders, infections, and surgical procedures can cause malabsorption.
Malabsorption causes diarrhea, weight loss, and bulky, extremely foul-smelling stools.
The diagnosis is based on typical symptoms along with stool tests and sometimes a biopsy of the lining of the small intestine.
The treatment depends on the cause.