malabsorption Flashcards
1
Q
malabsorption
A
- inadequate absorption of nutrients from the GI tract
2
Q
macronutrients
A
carbohydrate, fat, protein
3
Q
micronutrients
A
vitamins and minerals
4
Q
mucosal (absorption)
A
- issues relating directly to small intestine wall
- crohn’s, coeliac, surgery
5
Q
crohn’s disease / coeliac
A
- mucosal
- abnormal epithelium
- deficient absorption
6
Q
surgical resection / bypass / congenital abnormality
A
- mucosal
- short bowel
- less surface area for absorption
7
Q
cystic fibrosis / pancreatitis
A
- pre-mucosal
- lactase deficiency
- insufficient digestive agents
- macronutrients not broken down
8
Q
small intestinal bacterial overgrowth
A
- mucosal/pre-mucosal
- damage to mucosa
- bile salts metabolised by bacteria
9
Q
crohn’s disease
A
- malabsorption linked to inflammation
deficiencies include: - iron deficiency (anaemia)
- B12/folate deficiency
- vitamin D/calcium deficiency
10
Q
coeliac disease
A
- autoimmune condition
- gluten activates an abnormal mucosal response
- chronic inflammation and damage to small intestine mucosa leading to villous atrophy (villi becoming inflamed)
- fatigue, gastrointestinal symptoms, weight loss
- common complications: anaemia, osteoporosis
- treatment = elimination of gluten from diet
11
Q
short bowel syndrome
A
- usually secondary to surgery but can be congenital
- may require parental nutrition
- less surface area available for absorption
- osteoporosis and vitamin deficiencies are potential risks
- levothyroxine/warfarin/oral contraceptives/digoxin may need higher doses as small intestine site of absorption and less surface area means less absorption in bloodstream
12
Q
chronic pancreatitis
A
- chronic inflammation of pancreas leads to impaired function
- affects more males than females
- decrease in pancreatic enzymes
- strong association with long term alcohol consumption
13
Q
cystic fibrosis
A
- inherited
- decreased chloride secretion, increased sodium absorption = thick mucus
- inhibits absorption
- steatorrhea (too much fat in stools)
- osteoporosis (weak bones)
- malnutrition/weight loss
- treated with pancreatic enzyme supplementation, fat soluble vitamin supplementation, calorie replacement
- intestinal obstruction
14
Q
lactase deficiency
A
- primary, secondary, congenital or development
- reduce or eliminate dietary lactose intake
- alternative calcium source may be required
15
Q
bacterial overgrowth
A
- incidence increases with age
- chronic pancreatitis and motility disorders most common causes
- reduced gastric acid- restricts digestion/atrophic gastritis/ drugs
- impaired motility - diabetes/ radiation enteritis, (post surgery loops)
