Fatty acids in feces in children and adults

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Types of disease

Steatorrhea can be:

Pancreatic, caused by dysfunction of the pancreas, in particular due to insufficient secretion of the lipase enzyme responsible for the breakdown of fats.
Intestinal, which occurs when the absorption properties of the intestine are impaired.
Nutritional or nutritional, developing with excessive consumption of fatty foods that the gastrointestinal tract is not able to digest.

According to another classification, steatorrhea is divided into categories depending on what is contained in the stool:

neutral fats;
soaps and fatty acids;
mixed set of exchange products.

Description of the condition when fatty acids are found in stool analysis

The main function of the gastrointestinal tract is to process food and absorb various nutrients from it. Healthy stool contains a maximum of 5 grams of fatty acid salts. They are usually completely absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. Intestinal pathologies can lead to steatorrhea (aka fatty stools). Then the concentration of fat in feces exceeds the normal level, sometimes reaching even 100 grams.

With steatorrhea, fatty particles are present in the stool of an adult. The condition is accompanied by a frequent urge to defecate. Often there is diarrhea, less often - difficulties, constipation. The consistency of stool may vary. General characteristics: profuse discharge, grayish color. The increased content of undigested fat (fatty acids in feces) leaves an oily residue on the walls of the toilet when flushed.

Fatty acids can be found in food in pure form or serve as a product of neutral fats processed by the stomach. The feces of breastfed and bottle-fed babies may contain small amounts of fatty acid crystals. In older children and adults, healthy stool does not contain foreign fat impurities.

Symptoms of steatorrhea

With adequate nutrition and general well-being, steatorrhea is accompanied by the following symptoms:

frequent, copious and loose stools, although constipation is also possible;
lethargy;
dry cough;
cracks in the corners of the mouth;
pale lips;
bleeding gums;
bright language;
stomatitis;
dizziness;
dry mucous membranes;
sudden weight loss;
rumbling in the intestines.

In addition, a person is tormented by thirst, not associated with eating salty foods or playing sports.

Classification of steatorrhea

There are several types of steatorrhea:

food (alimentary) – is the result of dietary habits and manifests itself in the case of excessive consumption of fat-containing foods that the body cannot absorb in full;
intestinal - occurs when the mucous membrane of the small intestine is damaged and fat absorption is impaired. In this case, fats are not absorbed in the small intestine and are excreted in feces;
pancreatic – diagnosed with impaired pancreatic function and lipase deficiency.

In addition, steatorrhea is classified according to the type of bowel movements:

feces contain neutral fats;
fatty acids and soaps are found in feces;
mixed form: feces contain fats, fatty acids and soaps.

Consequences

Without treatment, long-term steatorrhea leads to a deficiency of fat-soluble vitamins: K, E, D and A, without which:

vision deteriorates;
hair becomes brittle and dull;
nails peel;
dry skin itches.

Without timely and proper treatment, steatorrhea causes pathologies in the nerves, genital area, urinary system, endocrine glands, heart and blood vessels. “Remote” disorders include swelling, insomnia, tachycardia, etc.

Fatty stools (steatorrhea): causes, treatment and possible complications

Fatty stools or, scientifically, steatorrhea is a pathology of the gastrointestinal tract, which is characterized by the excessive presence of lipid formations in human stool. As a rule, this disease is accompanied by diarrhea, but normal bowel movements or even constipation should also not be excluded.

In any case, the excreted stool always “shins” with fat and is difficult to remove from the surface of the toilet bowl. In today's material we will talk about this phenomenon, its dangers and treatment methods. Interesting? Then be sure to read the article below to the end.

Causes and symptoms

Steatorrhea is an increased excretion of fats from the body in feces.

So, as mentioned earlier, fatty stools or steatorrhea is an increase in lipids in the stool. Naturally, such a phenomenon should not be observed in a completely healthy person and requires due attention on his part.

It is important to understand that steatorrhea differs from other gastrointestinal pathologies by the presence of fats in the stool, while creatorrhoea is accompanied by nitrogenous secretions, and amilorrhea, for example, by starch grains. Fatty stools almost always “shine” accordingly and do not move well from the surface of the toilet bowl.

The cause of such disturbances in the functioning of the stomach and intestines can be many factors.

It is extremely rare that the etiology of fatty stool is a completely normal reaction of the body; often the situation is completely different. Today in gastroenterology there are three main types of steatorrhea based on the etiological factor:

The first is nutritional steatorrhea, which is a consequence of increased consumption of fat-containing foods and the inability of the gastrointestinal tract to cope with their quantity.
The second is intestinal steatorrhea, which develops due to dysfunction of the digestive organs in terms of digestion or absorption of lipids.
The third is pancreatic steatorrhea, which occurs due to malfunction of the pancreas, which poorly produces lipase, which is involved in the breakdown of fatty compounds.

In some cases, nutritional steatorrhea is one-time in nature and does not require proper therapy, since after correction of nutrition it disappears on its own. Other types of fatty stools always require therapy due to their pathological nature. Often their appearance indicates serious problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

The symptoms of any steatorrhea are completely identical. Often the signs of this disease are:

previously noted - specificity of feces (oily sheen, poor removal from the surface of the toilet bowl, etc.)
mild abdominal discomfort
disruption of the bowel movement (from diarrhea to constipation)
increased rumbling in the gastrointestinal tract
weight loss
skin problems (dryness, yellowness, flaking)
rarely – headaches, severe abdominal discomfort, dizziness and bloating

Having recognized even a few of the symptoms noted above, it is extremely important to visit the clinic and undergo appropriate diagnostics. Do not forget that even seemingly harmless steatorrhea can provoke serious disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract.

Diagnosis of steatorrhea

Radioisotope research allows us to identify the cause of the pathology

Diagnosis of the problem with fatty stools is always complex. To implement it, it is first better to visit a general practitioner, and after his approval, a gastroenterologist.

In general, these specialists will:

A thorough examination of the patient’s appearance, identifying all possible signs of steatorrhea.
Collecting anamnesis by talking with the patient regarding his symptoms.

Purpose of instrumental examination methods, which are the basis of all diagnostics. As a rule, if steatorrhea is suspected and its obvious manifestation, the following is prescribed:

Microscopic and macroscopic analyzes of stool.
Ultrasound examination of the gastrointestinal tract (ultrasound).
Colonoscopy.
Radioisotope types of diagnostics.

Often, during the examination, it is enough to implement the first two stages of diagnosis, as well as taking stool tests and ultrasound of the gastrointestinal tract. Despite this, for special appointments the patient will have to undergo various studies. Such measures should not be ignored, especially if they are recommended by a specialist.

Methods of treating the disease

Treatment consists of medications and diet

The course of treatment for steatorrhea is determined exclusively by the attending doctor, who is familiar with the results of the examinations and knows exactly the cause of the disease. In most cases, therapy does not require surgical intervention, so conservative therapeutic measures are implemented.

The latter include:

Firstly, take appropriate medications. It all depends on the factor that provoked the appearance of fatty stools. Usually special enzymes are prescribed that improve the digestion of fats in the gastrointestinal tract. Such preparations can be supplemented with vitamin complexes and various acids to improve digestion.
Secondly, normalization of lifestyle. Often, it is enough to give up, at least partially, bad habits, restrictions on various types of stress and normal sleep.
Thirdly – diet. By the way, the diet should be special, the focus of which is to minimize the amount of lipids consumed. On average, patients with steatorrhea are prohibited from eating more than 50-55 grams of fat per day. Mainly the diet should consist of lean meats, fish, a small amount of butter, dairy products with a low amount of fat, vegetables and cereals.

A similar method of treating fatty stool occurs in 85-90% of cases with its diagnosis. In patients with a very specific cause of the disease or with its severe neglect, it is possible to take surgical measures, although this is rare.

Prognosis of therapy and risks of complications

Steatorrhea can cause hypovitaminosis and disrupt the water-salt balance in the body

As a rule, patients of a gastroenterologist with the problem of steatorrhea do not develop this disease by going to the clinic on time. Under such circumstances, the prognosis for treatment is always positive, and the therapy itself comes down to taking appropriate measures.

However, in some cases, due to the specificity of the manifested pathology or its neglect, the treatment process becomes noticeably more complicated. Despite this, the prognosis is often also favorable, although the treatment is organized on a larger scale and more complex.

In the absence of competent and timely intervention on the cause of fatty stools, it can develop into a rather dangerous pathological process. Typical complications of steatorrhea are:

impaired absorption of lipids and accompanying problems (weight loss, hormonal imbalances)
development of protein deficiency or hypovitaminosis
severe exhaustion of the body
swelling
chronic thirst
severe dehydration
causeless cramps

The result of such disruptions in the body can even be fatal. Do not forget that a lack of lipids is a serious thing and often occurs with steatorrhea. It is unacceptable to allow its development, much less its long-term course, therefore we strongly recommend that you promptly and fully get rid of the problem being considered today. Otherwise, you should prepare for the worst.

Prevention of steatorrhea is one of the main measures that is required after properly organized treatment of the disease.

In most cases, treating doctors determine preventive measures for each patient on an individual basis.

: bad stool and possible diseases

Read: Why does black stool happen, when is it dangerous and what to do?

Despite this, it is possible to identify the basis for the prevention of steatorrhea. In general, it consists of the following measures:

Development of a constant and most correct diet. Particular attention should be paid to the balance in the consumption of fats, carbohydrates and proteins. Normally, their proportion in daily food is: proteins - 15-20%, carbohydrates - 50-60%, fats - 25-30%. If it is difficult to count the amount of elements consumed, then it is enough: organize split meals (4-6 times), eat as healthy as possible and do not overeat. Naturally, avoiding fast food, highly fatty and smoked foods is mandatory. It will also be useful to limit your consumption of fried foods and spices.
Refusal of bad habits or significant limitation in them. An important role in this regard is assigned to both smoking cessation and the alcohol “diet”. Do not forget that these things have an equally bad effect on the entire human body, including the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
Conducting periodic examinations in the gastroenterology office. In general, something like this should become the norm for absolutely any person. At a minimum, you should visit a gastroenterologist every 2-4 months and at least 2 times a year. This approach is always approved by doctors, as it allows you to control the “gastric” health of absolutely any person and get rid of problems with it as quickly as possible.
For special indications, the patient is also prescribed certain medications or specific procedures as a preventive measure. Preventive measures of this kind, of course, are not carried out without consultation and approval of the attending physician.

In general, fatty stools are a relatively harmless phenomenon. Often it is provoked by normal physiological processes, but it also happens that gastrointestinal upset occurs due to real health problems.

In any case, it is important to immediately and correctly organize treatment for the disease, and then maintain “intestinal health” at the proper level. We hope that the material presented was useful to you and provided answers to your questions. Good health to you!

Source: https://DiagnozLab.com/analysis/clinical-tests/fecal/zhirnyj-stul.html

Etiology of the condition

Oily stool occurs when there are problems with the breakdown and absorption of lipids, which directly depends on the enzymes in pancreatic juice that process incoming nutrients or prepare them for subsequent transformations.

Sticky feces are formed due to the abuse of laxatives, as well as as a result of a special diet, when feces move so quickly through the intestinal tract that they do not have time to be digested and absorbed. Dietary habits include excessive amounts of fat in food, frequent overeating, and a passion for spicy seasonings, which stimulate the digestive canal and thereby disrupt its normal functioning.

The most common causes of frequent and fatty stools in adults include a chronic form of pancreatitis - an inflammatory process in the pancreas that disrupts the function of the most important organ - secreting pancreatic juice, saturated with enzymes for digesting nutrients, including triglycerides.

The sign may indicate stagnation of bile in the gallbladder, as well as the presence of acute or chronic problems with the liver and small intestine.

The symptom of not flushing feces from the toilet may appear if a person abuses anti-obesity drugs, for example, Orlistat, which is also known under other trade names:

Orsoten slim;
Orlimax;
Xenical;
Xenaltten;
Allie.

With their long-term use, it is possible to disrupt the processes of fat metabolism, which are not restored even after the end of the treatment course with their use.

Fatty stool in an adult can result from:

Systemic dermatoses, in which, in addition to the skin, internal organs are also affected. This type of diarrhea occurs in patients suffering from lichen planus or eczema.
Pathologies in the functioning of the endocrine glands, such as hyperthyroidism or Addison's disease.
Genetic diseases that impair the absorption and transfer of triglycerides.

Causes of fatty stools in adults

The main factors that provoke the accumulation of fatty acids in feces:

Failures of the pancreas, which stops synthesizing lipase. The enzyme breaks down fats into fatty acids and glycerol during digestive processes in the stomach. Insufficient lipase synthesis causes poor digestion of food and the appearance of neutral fat in the coprogram.
Poor absorption by the intestines, rapid evacuation of food from the body. The pathology is caused by impaired motility of the gastrointestinal tract, when food moves through it too quickly without having time to be processed.
Lack of bile, which transforms fats into a thin emulsion, helping to quickly break them down. If there is little bile in the intestines, this negatively affects the process of processing fatty foods.

Among the pathological conditions that cause steatorrhea (the appearance of fatty acids in stool) are:

kidney diseases;
fermentative and putrefactive dyspepsia;
birth defects;
liver diseases (hepatitis, cyst, tumors, amyloidosis, cirrhosis, hemochromatosis);
pathologies of the pancreas (pancreatitis, narrowing of the Virsugov duct, Solinger-Ellison syndrome);
diseases of the digestive system (enteritis, Whipple's disease, tumors, amyloidosis, resection after surgery, diverticulosis);
excessive consumption of fatty foods;
problems with the gallbladder and its ducts (cholangitis, giardiasis, cholecystitis, cholelithiasis);
damage to the gastrointestinal tract by eczema, psoriasis.

Steatorrhea during pregnancy

The condition may occur in later stages. The causes of fatty stool should be sought in cholestasis, that is, a violation of the outflow of bile due to the pressure of the enlarged uterus on the gallbladder. In this case, the woman’s stool is discolored and foul-smelling, and the mucous membranes are yellowish.

Violation of vitamin absorption during pregnancy leads to problems:

With blood clotting and possible bleeding during labor.
In the development of the musculoskeletal system of the fetus.
Deterioration of visual acuity in mother and child, as well as dry skin and mucous membranes.

You can help a pregnant woman with the help of medications, folk remedies and diet therapy.

This is a coprogram.

Chyme, or food gruel, moves through the gastrointestinal tract and fecal masses are formed in the large intestine. At all stages, breakdown occurs, and then absorption of useful substances occurs. The composition of the stool helps determine whether there are any abnormalities in the internal organs. A scatological examination helps to identify a variety of diseases.

A coprogram is a chemical, macroscopic, microscopic examination, after which a detailed description of the feces is given. Coprograms can identify certain diseases. These may be disorders of the stomach, pancreas, intestines; inflammatory processes in the digestive tract, dysbiosis, malabsorption, colitis.

Diagnostics

The search for the causes of steatorrhea begins with a detailed examination, including the doctor’s clarification of the patient’s dietary habits and lifestyle. The doctor will need the results of tests of feces, urine, blood and instrumental diagnostics (MRI, ultrasound, fluoroscopy, rectoscopy, radioisotope studies, etc.). With a long course of the disease, additional diagnostic measures are required, the purpose of which is to identify and evaluate possible complications that often occur with disorders of fat metabolism.

Possible complications

Impaired absorption capacity of the intestine leads to the following conditions:

Protein deficiency.
Imbalance of electrolytes, resulting in cramps, dry mucous membranes, swelling, and incessant thirst.
Oxaluria in the form of insoluble stones consisting of oxalates and capable of clogging the urinary tract and kidneys.
Pathologies of the brain, respiratory system, heart and kidneys.
Neuroses in which the patient has mental problems, for example, difficulty communicating, decreased performance, sleep disturbances.

Therapy

Treatment must be timely, using the correct therapeutic approach. It is not steatorrhea that is treated, but the underlying provoking disease.

The doctor prescribes medications containing lipase. They are covered with a shell that protects them from stomach enzymes. Patients take:

Pancreatin;
Creon;
Pancitrate.

Antacids are prescribed to neutralize hydrochloric acid:

Gastal;
Phosphalugel;
Almagel et al.

With them, enzyme therapy is much more effective.

Prescription of Cortisone, hydrochloric acid and adrenocorticotropic hormone with parallel control of ketosteroids, which are supported by protein intake.

Diet therapy

The doctor recommends split meals with 4-6 meals and portions weighing no more than 200 g.

The nutritionist creates prescriptions on an individual basis, taking into account the causes of the condition, the severity of the underlying pathology, and additional symptoms.

Among the general recommendations:

exclusion of spicy, fried and fatty foods;
refusal of alcohol;
drinking plain water instead of sweet soda.

The following animal proteins are allowed:

lean varieties of fish and meat that are best boiled;
low-fat fermented milk products instead of whole milk.

Mandatory vitamin therapy with the prescription of vitamins B5 and B12, as well as fat-soluble vitamins K, E, D and A.

Treatment and diet for digestive disorders

Therapy for identifying steatorrhea consists of improving the patient's condition and eliminating oily feces. When appropriate tests have been carried out, including a lipid profile, and pancreatitis is detected, the person is prescribed enzymes to normalize food digestion.

Restoring stool in this case involves strictly maintaining the diet prescribed by the attending physician. Consumption of alcohol, spicy and fatty foods is unacceptable. For steatorrhea, treatment with drugs containing a large dose of lipase is indicated. Any medications prescribed for the diagnosis described have an additional coating, due to which the active components are not absorbed through the stomach. The following are often used for treatment:

Pancreatin;
Phosphalugel;
Creon;
Almagel;
Pancitrate, etc.

Prevention

To avoid the development of steatorrhea, you should:

Enrich your diet with animal proteins instead of soybeans and other legumes.
Eliminate foods containing gluten from your diet.
Bring sugar intake to moderate doses.

Secondary prevention, which is carried out after the development of a pathological condition, involves timely therapy to get rid of the underlying disease, for example, intestinal infections using antibacterial agents.

The disease will not occur if you prevent diseases that provoke steatorrhea, organize a balanced diet with a moderate amount of fatty foods, with plenty of proteins and vitamins. With timely treatment, the disease goes into stable remission and practically does not bother the person.