10:27 PM
Wednesday 03 August 2022
I wrote – Hoda Abdel Nasser:
Some people feel very anxious about having oily stools, fearing it could be a warning sign of gastrointestinal disease.
In its next report, the Consulto reviews all things fatty stool, according to Healthline and Medical News Today.
What is fatty stool?
It is a medical condition also known as “steatorrhea”, in which a person suffers from high fat content in stool, in addition to containing bacteria, mucus, protein and salts.
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Causes of greasy stool
Oily stool is usually caused by eating a large amount of fatty foods, but sometimes it can be a sign of the following diseases:
Food is not broken down properly in the digestive system.
Poor absorption of nutrients, as a result of cystic fibrosis.
Chronic pancreatitis, which makes it unable to produce enzymes that help digest fats, protein and carbohydrates.
Bile duct obstruction.
Gluten sensitivity.
Crohn’s disease.
Lactose intolerance.
Whipple disease: a bacterial infection in the digestive system, which negatively affects the body’s breakdown of fats.
– Kidney failure.
– cirrhosis of the liver;
– Hypoparathyroidism.
Cancer or damage to the lymph nodes.
Gallbladder cancer.
– Gallstones.
Diabetes.
Moreover, fatty stools may be a side effect of some surgeries, such as cholecystectomy and gastric bypass, and its occurrence is also associated with taking obesity and diabetes medications.
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Oily stool symptoms
Oily stool comes with a range of unpleasant symptoms, including:
– Tummy ache.
Diarrhea.
Bad odor of stool.
Feces float on the surface of the water.
The presence of drops of oil or fat inside the toilet.
Flatulence.
Lots of gas.
– Indigestion.
– Weight loss.
General weakness.
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Diagnosis of fatty stool
After evaluating symptoms and inquiring about family history, the doctor commits the patient to eating 100 grams of fat per day for 72 hours, then fasting for 5 hours, and then taking a stool sample, for analysis.
When eating 100 grams of fat per day, a healthy person should excrete 7 grams or less of fat per day in the stool. If it is higher than that, then this is evidence of steatorrhea.
Read also: Symptoms that require a stool analysis
oily stool treatment
The treatment of fatty stools varies from one patient to another, depending on the cause. If it is caused by lactose intolerance, dairy products should be completely avoided, but if gluten sensitivity is a risk factor, foods rich in it, such as wheat, should be avoided.
While the pathological causes of fatty stools, it is necessary to visit a doctor, to determine the appropriate medications for them.
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