Ask a doctor - Does steatorrhea cause weight loss?

Q. Does steatorrhea cause weight loss?

Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.

Answered by Secondmedic Expert

Yes, steatorrhea can cause weight loss. Steatorrhea is a condition characterized by fatty or oily stools which sometimes appear pale and greasy with a foul smell. It is caused when the body cannot absorb fat due to an issue in the small intestine such as inflammation or damage, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, cystic fibrosis, pancreatitis, gallstones and infection.

When the pancreas does not secrete enough enzymes for digestion and absorption of fats from even small amounts of food consumed; this leads to an accumulation of undigested fat in your stool (steatorrhea). As your body fails to absorb these fats along with important calories that contribute towards weight gain; people affected by steatorrhea are likely to experience weight loss.

The symptoms associated with steatorrhoea depend on the underlying cause but most commonly include: frequent loose stools that appear pale/greasy with a foul odor; persistent abdominal pain after meals; abdominal bloating or distension; excessive flatulence (gas) and occasional nausea and vomiting.

Steatorrhoea can be treated effectively with dietary measures such as avoiding rich foods high in fat content like fried food items, chocolates etc. Alongside this it is advised to opt for low-fat diet inclusive of lean meat products, whole grains breads/cereals etc., lower intake of starch e.g.: potatoes/rice etc., more fruits & vegetables into meal plans etc so as to benefit from their high fibre content which helps reduce stool size& lowers calorie counts per serving substantially . Supplementing this diet plan one must also take medications prescribed specifically depending upon root causes & potential complications at hand ranging from antibiotics specially formulated for gut infections , antacids , anti-inflammatory drugs amongst many others . In cases where diet & medication do not show any noticeable improvements it might be wise consult a doctor about surgical options available too !