Steatorrhea

Introduction Fat sputum occurs in children who call it celiac disease, and in adults it is called idiopathic steatorrhea. Fat sputum is caused by indigestion or poor fat intake. Liver disease, pancreatic disease, or small bowel disease can cause fat cramps.

Cause

Fat sputum is caused by indigestion or poor fat intake. The human body has the precise function of digesting and absorbing fat. If the diet contains high fat, it will stimulate the secretion of bile into the small intestine. Bile is like a cleanser, and bile acids in the bile cause the fat to emulsifie and dissolve in the small intestine. At the same time, the pancreas secretes a lipolytic enzyme that breaks down fat into small molecules (such as fatty acids and cholesterol) and transmits it to the intestinal wall cells with the aid of bile acids.

Liver disease, pancreatic disease, or small bowel disease can cause fat cramps.

Liver disease

The function of bile secretion in patients with chronic liver disease is affected, and the occurrence of fatty spasms is very common. These patients usually have severe jaundice (yellow complexion).

2. Pancreatic disease

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. In the chronic category, the function of secreting lipolytic enzymes (the enzyme responsible for digesting fat) is impeded, leading to fat convulsions. Fat sputum can also occur in patients with Cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis is a hereditary disease that causes the body to build too much thick and sticky mucus and block the lungs and pancreas. In addition, patients who have undergone surgery to remove the pancreas are also more likely to have fatty spasms.

3. Small bowel disease

Patients with Celiac disease cannot tolerate proteins in wheat and rye. This protein damages the cells in the small intestine, which greatly affects the function of digestion and absorption of fat, so patients also develop fatty spasms. Fat sputum can also occur if the patient has removed the small intestine or the small intestine from a wide range of diseases, or if it is infected by a pathogen.

an examination

Related inspection

Basal metabolism blood electrolyte examination

Fat sputum is caused by indigestion or poor fat intake. Liver disease, pancreatic disease, or small bowel disease can cause fat cramps. Patients with fatty sputum may develop malnutrition, such as weight loss, lack of physical strength, and poor overall health. If a child develops the disease, growth will also be affected and often infected. The patient is pale due to anemia, the abdomen is swollen, and the skin and lips and tongues appear dry due to lack of vitamins.

Laboratory inspection:

1, basal metabolism.

2, blood electrolyte examination.

Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnosis of fatty sputum:

1, diarrhea: diarrhea (diarrhea) is a common clinical symptoms, can be caused by a variety of diseases. A normal person defecates once a day, and the amount of feces discharged is about 200 to 400 g. There are also a few people who have bowel movements 2 to 3 times a day, but if the stool characteristics are normal, they cannot be called diarrhea. Diarrhea generally refers to an increase in the number of bowel movements per day or frequent bowel movements, thin stools or mucus pus, or indigestible foods and other pathological contents. Diarrhea is generally divided into acute diarrhea and chronic diarrhea. The former refers to the acute onset of diarrhea, which lasts for a short time, while the latter generally refers to diarrhea for more than 2 months.

2, indigestion: indigestion refers to a series of discomfort related to diet. Indigestion is almost common to everyone. Some people suffer from one or more symptoms of dyspepsia after eating such things as cabbage, beans, onions or cucumbers, or drinking and carbonated drinks. Some people eat too fast, eat too greasy or eat too much, and may also occur due to anxiety, nervousness or depression. Pregnant women, large numbers of smokers, constipation and obesity are particularly prone to digestive dysfunction. Indigestion not only makes people feel uncomfortable, it can even cause abdominal pain, but it does not pose a life threat.

Patients with fatty sputum may develop malnutrition, such as weight loss, lack of physical strength, and poor overall health. If a child develops the disease, growth will also be affected and often infected. The patient is pale due to anemia, the abdomen is swollen, and the skin and lips and tongues appear dry due to lack of vitamins.

The material in this site is intended to be of general informational use and is not intended to constitute medical advice, probable diagnosis, or recommended treatments.