The key difference between malabsorption and maldigestion is that malabsorption is the inability to transport nutrients from the intestinal lumen into the bloodstream, while maldigestion is the incapacity to break down complex food molecules within the intestinal lumen into smaller components.
Digestive disorders affect many people worldwide each year. These medical conditions involve the digestive tract or gastrointestinal tract. Malabsorption and maldigestion are two digestive disorders. These disorders can present with similar symptoms, such as weight loss, diarrhea, weakness, and fatigue. However, they are due to different etiologies.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Malabsorption
3. What is Maldigestion
4. Similarities – Malabsorption and Maldigestion
5. Malabsorption vs. Maldigestion in Tabular Form
6. FAQ: Malabsorption and Maldigestion
7. Summary – Malabsorption vs. Maldigestion
What is Malabsorption?
Malabsorption is the imperfect absorption of food material by the small intestine. This can ultimately lead to indigestion and malnutrition. The symptoms of this condition may include abdominal pain, abdominal distension, bloating, gas, nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, fatty stools, unintentional weight loss, muscle wasting, frequent infections, easy bruising, dry skin, dry hair, hair loss, dehydration, edema, anemia, irritability, amenorrhea, growth delays, night blindness, weak bones and bone pain, bleeding gums and nosebleeds, sore, red tongue, paleness, weakness, and dizziness. Malabsorption can be caused by damage to the lining of the small intestine, lymphatic system diseases, pancreas, gall bladder and liver diseases, and food intolerances.
Malabsorption can be diagnosed through physical examination, breath test, stool test, blood test, sweat test, imaging test (X-ray and endoscopy), and small intestinal biopsy. Furthermore, malabsorption is treated through supplementing nutrition (oral, through tube or vein), supplementing specific digestive enzymes to manage food intolerances, bile acids sequestrants to help prevent diarrhoea, and managing the underlying condition.
What is Maldigestion?
Maldigestion is the impaired nutrient digestion within the intestinal lumen or at the brush border of the intestine. The possible symptoms of maldigestion are nausea, bloating, abdominal cramps, abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, flatulence, and steatorrhea. Maldigestion can be caused due to biliary obstruction, pancreatic diseases, food allergies, and enzyme deficiency.
Maldigestion can be diagnosed through physical examination, breath test, blood test, urine test, and stool test. Furthermore, maldigestion can be treated by managing the underlying cause, avoiding foods that are not digested properly or allergic, supplying missing enzymes, and taking alternative medicines such as Iberogast®.
What are the Similarities Between Malabsorption and Maldigestion?
- Malabsorption and maldigestion are two digestive disorders.
- Both these are associated with medical conditions.
- These disorders can present with similar symptoms, such as weight loss, diarrhea, weakness, and fatigue.
- Both these disorders can be diagnosed through physical examination, blood tests, stool tests, etc.
- They can be treated through giving specific medications from outside and alternative therapies.
What is the Difference Between Malabsorption and Maldigestion?
Malabsorption is the inability to transport nutrients across the intestinal mucosa into blood circulation, while maldigestion is the inability to break down large molecules of food into smaller components in the intestinal lumen. Thus, this is the key difference between malabsorption and maldigestion. Furthermore, malabsorption can be caused by damage to the lining of the small intestine, lymphatic system diseases, pancreas, gall bladder and liver diseases, and food intolerances. On the other hand, maldigestion can be caused by biliary obstruction, pancreatic diseases, food allergies, and enzyme deficiency.
The infographic below presents the differences between malabsorption and maldigestion in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
FAQ: Malabsorption and Maldigestion
What are malabsorption and maldigestion of fat?
Malabsorption of fat is the inability to absorb dietary fat in the intestines into the bloodstream, often due to issues with the intestinal mucosa or other factors. Maldigestion of fat is the failure to properly break down fat in the digestive process, which can result from enzyme deficiencies or other digestive system problems.
What is an example of maldigestion?
Cystic fibrosis is an example of maldigestion. Individuals with cystic fibrosis can experience maldigestion due to the thick mucus produced in their pancreas, which blocks the release of digestive enzymes, leading to impaired fat, protein, and carbohydrate digestion.
What is an example of malabsorption?
Celiac disease is an example of malabsorption. In celiac disease, the immune system reacts to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley, damaging the lining of the small intestine. This damage hinders the absorption of essential nutrients, leading to malabsorption of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and fats.
Summary – Malabsorption vs. Maldigestion
Malabsorption and maldigestion are two digestive disorders. Both these conditions may have similar symptoms, such as weight loss, diarrhea, weakness, and fatigue. However, malabsorption is the imperfect absorption of food material by the small intestine, while maldigestion is the impaired digestion of nutrients within the intestinal lumen or at the brush border of the intestine. So, this summarizes the difference between malabsorption and maldigestion.
Reference:
1. “Malabsorption (Syndrome).” Cleveland Clinic.
2. “MALDIGESTION / Malabsorption.” Fresenius Kabi Global.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Woman experiencing abdominal pain, treatment and prevention concept” By Marco Verch Professional Photographer (CC BY 2.0 DEED) via Flickr
2. “Worldwide prevalence of lactose intolerance in recent populations” By NmiPortal – Own work / Food Intolerance Network (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia