Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Malabsorption Syndromes
Number of Conditions: 2
Lactose Intolerance
Specialty: Gastrointestinal
Category: Small Intestine Disorders
Sub-category: Malabsorption Syndromes
Symptoms:
diarrhea; bloating; gas; abdominal pain; nausea after consuming dairy products
Root Cause:
Insufficient production of lactase enzyme in the small intestine, leading to inability to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Lactose tolerance test, hydrogen breath test, stool acidity test for infants and children.
Treatment:
Dietary management by avoiding lactose-containing foods or using lactase enzyme supplements.
Medications:
Lactase enzyme supplements (e.g., Lactaid) can help digest lactose.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 65% of the global population, with higher prevalence in Asian, African, and Native American populations.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Genetic predisposition, age-related decline in lactase production, gastrointestinal diseases (e.g., celiac disease, Crohn's disease) affecting the small intestine.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent with appropriate dietary adjustments; symptoms resolve when lactose is avoided or enzymatically digested.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Nutritional deficiencies (e.g., calcium, vitamin D) if dairy products are not replaced with alternative sources.
Short Bowel Syndrome
Specialty: Gastrointestinal
Category: Small Intestine Disorders
Sub-category: Malabsorption Syndromes
Symptoms:
diarrhea; steatorrhea; weight loss; fatigue; nutritional deficiencies; dehydration
Root Cause:
Reduced absorptive capacity of the small intestine due to surgical removal or congenital defect, leading to malabsorption of nutrients, fluids, and electrolytes.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Medical history of intestinal surgery or congenital abnormality, imaging studies (e.g., CT scan, MRI), and tests to evaluate nutrient levels.
Treatment:
Nutritional support (parenteral nutrition, enteral feeding), dietary modifications (high-calorie, low-fat diet), and medications to slow intestinal transit or enhance absorption.
Medications:
GLP-2 analogs (e.g., teduglutide ) to improve intestinal absorption, antidiarrheal agents (e.g., loperamide ), and proton pump inhibitors (e.g., omeprazole ) to reduce gastric acid.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, with an estimated incidence of 3 per million people per year.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Intestinal surgery (e.g., for Crohn's disease, cancer, trauma), congenital defects (e.g., gastroschisis), or ischemic bowel disease.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Variable; depends on the remaining length and function of the intestine. With appropriate management, many patients can achieve nutritional independence.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic diarrhea, malnutrition, dependence on parenteral nutrition, liver dysfunction, and bacterial overgrowth.