Q. Is sterorhea a symptom of celiac disease?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
Yes, steatorrhea (or fatty stools) is one of the most common symptoms of celiac disease. It occurs when undigested fat passes through the small intestine and enters the large intestine, resulting in loose or greasy stools that float. This symptom often increases with a person's dietary intake of foods containing gluten and decreases after following a strict gluten-free diet.
The cause of steatorrhea in celiac disease can be attributed to an excessive amount of fat from food passing into the small intestine but not being properly digested due to villous atrophy caused by gluten ingestion. Villi are small finger-like projections lining your small intestines which aid in absorption of nutrients from our food, while in celiac they become flattened because they're attacked by our own immune cells as if it were foreign matter. As these villi become damaged, less fats and other nutrients are able to be absorbed leading them pass into the large intestine essentially unchanged where it combines with bacteria in your gut causing diarrhea, bloating and gas – all symptoms associated with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome).
The only treatment for this symptom is complete adherence to a lifelong gluten-free diet – meaning no wheat-, barley-, or rye products should be ingested; otherwise serious nutrient deficiencies could result due to malabsorption issues related to steatorrhea since these grains contain important vitamins and minerals such as folates/folic acid and B vitamins which help support healthy neurological function as well as DNA synthesis/repairing capabilities throughout all tissue types within our body so we must ensure their intake on daily basis despite any dietary restrictions placed on us pertaining to allergies/intolerances etc.. Additionally digestive enzymes derived from plants may also help reduce steatorrhea by aiding digestion & breakdown complex macronutrients (ie: proteins + carbohydrates).
It's important that individuals with Celiac Disease are aware that Steatrorrea may occur & take precautions accordingly so proper nutrient uptake doesn't suffer needlessly leading further down road towards longterm health complications if left unchecked - things like iron deficiency anemia being quite prominent example among many others..
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