Absorption Disorders

Home » Absorption Disorders » Causes

Causes

Some absorption disorders result from a congenital (i.e., present at birth, inherited) or acquired (i.e., not hereditary) abnormality in the GI tract. Others develop as a result of damage to the intestinal mucosa or digestive organs. This damage may be caused by injury, disease, or an abnormal immune system response.

Other types of absorption disorders are caused by decreased production of certain substances (e.g., digestive enzymes, stomach acid, bile) in the GI tract or biliary system (e.g., pancreas) or by microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, parasites) in the digestive system.

Certain medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and radiation therapy (treatment that uses high energy x-rays to destroy cancer cells) to the abdominal area can damage the digestive tract and impair absorption.

Medical conditions also can cause malabsorption. These conditions include the following:

• Cancer of the small intestine or other gastrointestinal organs (e.g., stomach [gastric] cancer, colorectal cancer)
• Cystic fibrosis (genetic disease that causes severe digestive problems and also affects the lungs, liver, reproductive system, and urinary tract)
• Fibromyalgia (characterized by pain and stiffness in muscles, ligaments, and tendons; may also affect the GI tract)
• Immune system disorders (e.g., scleroderma)
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD; e.g., Crohn's disease)
• Liver disease (e.g., cirrhosis)
• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)

© 1998-2009 Healthcommunities.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Absorption Disorders Resources

	Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Your GI Condition The more knowledge you have, the easier it is to make decisions about your gi condition. Print this free handout to take with you on your next office visit.	Advertising Disclaimer
	Join Our Absorption Disorders Forum Do you have a question, want to share medical advice, or just need to discuss your situation with someone else having a similar experience? The healthchannels forum is a resource for everyone to share and discuss their health and medical needs with others.
	Living with...Share your story Do you have a personal health story that you would like to share with others? As a source of free patient education, our goal is to provide our users with trustworthy information and support from others. That's why we've started our "Living with..." sections.
	Our "Living With..." support pages are a place to share experiences about living with a certain condition, disease, disorder, or illness and for loved ones of those dealing with health-related issues. Many people, especially when newly diagnosed, find comfort in knowing that others are having a similar experience. Help others by sharing your story. View stories already submitted.
To quickly access health information from your website's browser, download Healthcommunities.com's healthchannels toolbar. Advertising Disclaimer