Malabsorption can occur if someone does not have enough digestive enzymes, bacteria or other foreign invaders are present, or movement in the small or large intestine is faster than usual. There are many different malabsorption disorders, each having a different underlying cause.
What are the causes of malabsorption?
Some of the causes of malabsorption include:
- Cystic fibrosis (the number one cause in the United States)
- Chronic pancreatitis.
- Lactose intolerance.
- Celiac disease.
- Whipple disease.
- Shwachman-Diamond syndrome (a genetic disease affecting the pancreas and bone marrow)
- Cow's milk protein intolerance.
Does malabsorption go away?
Malabsorption may be temporary, for example, occurring in so-called stomach flu, when vomiting or diarrhea may prevent the efficient absorption of nutrients. This type of malabsorption goes away when the underlying disease resolves.
