The difference between indigestion and mal-absorption

The difference between indigestion and mal-absorption

Is it possible to know the difference between indigestion and malabsorption from the external symptoms that appear on the body? This question needs a somewhat detailed answer, to clarify the medical difference first between indigestion and malabsorption, and then the difference between them will become clear in the external symptoms.

Therefore, we will be keen in this article – not only to clarify the difference between indigestion and malabsorption, but – to clarify the symptoms of indigestion and colon, symptoms of malabsorption in adults, and what does a patient with malabsorption eat, then is malabsorption a serious disease? And other important related topics.

What is indigestion?

It is also called dyspepsia or stomach upset. It expresses annoying pain in the upper abdomen felt by those who suffer from digestive disorders. Indigestion – or dyspepsia – may be the disease itself, but it is often a symptom of another disease.

Symptoms:

• Feeling full with the least amount of food eaten
• Feeling full for longer than usual, and the person feels unwilling to eat
• A general feeling of discomfort in an area below the navel
• Feeling nauseous and an annoying desire to vomit
• Feeling bloated in the upper abdomen and frequent, annoying belching

The previous feelings may be annoying, but the real discomfort begins if these symptoms worsen. If there is an actual loss of appetite for several days, or vomiting multiple times that may be accompanied by blood, or black, tarry stools, or difficulty swallowing that increases over time, or feeling short of breath or difficulty in breathing air normally, or a general feeling of fatigue with discomfort in digestion, then one of these symptoms or the presence of all of them necessitates going to the doctor immediately.

Causes of indigestion

Indigestion usually occurs regularly or frequently, whether daily or several times a week. People usually do not pay attention to it, assuming that it is a recurring event and its effects go away quickly without the need to take any specific action. Even in cases where something difficult to digest, such as fat, is eaten, people tolerate its effects because they know that it will take its time with indigestion and then end.

Because indigestion is usually associated with bad habits, we find that its causes include:

• Eating large amounts of food
• Eating quickly without enough time to chew
• Smoking
• Eating outside the home with foods rich in fats and spices
• Eating large amounts of sweets or chocolate
• Eating large amounts of soft drinks
• Stress, excitement and anxiety are also causes of indigestion, especially in patients with irritable bowel syndrome

In addition, a person suffering from a disease that affects the digestive system can also cause indigestion. For example, colds sometimes affect the digestive system and lead to indigestion. There is another list of diseases that lead to indigestion, the most prominent of which – as we explained above – is irritable bowel syndrome.

What is malabsorption?

Malabsorption is the inability of the small intestine to absorb the nutrients necessary for the body and transfer them to the blood. Malabsorption is a type of indigestion. When malabsorption occurs, there is a failure to absorb the necessary nutrients and transfer them to the blood. These nutrients include proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals.

The symptoms of malabsorption are very similar to the symptoms of indigestion. When asked about the difference between indigestion and malabsorption, we will not notice the difference except through a careful medical examination.

Symptoms of malabsorption include:

• Excessive flatulence
• Chronic diarrhea
• Feeling generally tired and exhausted
• Feeling constant cramps and pain in the abdomen

Also, the continuation of malabsorption symptoms leads to a worsening of symptoms to something more dangerous than just cramps and abdominal pain.

Repeated absence of essential nutrients for the body may lead to:

• Noticeable weight loss
• Paleness in the face
• Severe weakness in the body and noticeable weakness in the muscles and inability to make a real effort
• Noticing a defect in the body’s growth (especially in children)

Of course, the previous symptoms require an immediate visit to the doctor, to diagnose the condition more clearly and prescribe appropriate medications that help the small intestine to return to absorbing food, in addition to behavioral guidelines regarding what is eaten outside the home, or even in the home diet.

Causes of Malabsorption

There is a list of causes that lead to malabsorption. Most of them do not occur simultaneously, except in some limited cases. Some of the well-known causes of malabsorption are:

• Eating spicy foods or foods that contain a lot of complex spices
• An imbalance in the diet for long periods
• Excessive eating outside the home, especially fast food, high in fat
• Lactose intolerance
• Diarrhea for a long period of time (does not give space for the absorption of necessary nutrients)
• Gallstones in the gallbladder
• Vitamin B12 deficiency
• Taking some medications that lead to malabsorption in the intestines, such as tetracycline
• Psychological instability or suffering from stress, anxiety and severe depressive symptoms

As mentioned above, it is not necessary for all of the previous causes to come together for food malabsorption to occur. However, attention should be paid to these symptoms so that they can be dealt with appropriately when they occur to prevent the condition from worsening.

What is the difference between indigestion and malabsorption in terms of symptoms?

As for the difference between indigestion and malabsorption in terms of symptoms, there is a great similarity between the two, so much so that it is difficult to notice the difference between indigestion and malabsorption except after a medical examination and the necessary tests.

In addition, malabsorption is basically considered one of the symptoms of indigestion.

 

However, it is possible to distinguish between them in several distinct cases, such as:

• When the patient is sure that he has gallstones
• When there is a general weakness in health that requires consulting a doctor
• When weight loss is noticeable

And all of the previous symptoms can be confirmed by doing the necessary tests.

What is the difference between indigestion and malabsorption in terms of treatment?

The matter is different when talking about the difference between indigestion and malabsorption in terms of describing the appropriate treatment. In the case of indigestion, Zymoforte capsules can be taken for digestive disorders and it will be largely sufficient. Its natural ingredients – 100% natural ingredients – and the care taken in its manufacture make it a suitable choice for normal digestive disorders that occur on a daily or occasional basis.

As for malabsorption, it is about taking the right nutrients for the body and nutritional supplements to compensate for the deficiency in vitamins and minerals it needs to perform its normal activities, in order to avoid the weakness that occurs in the body in the long term as a result of malabsorption. Or what is more important: seeking preventive measures from the beginning. Remember: “prevention is always better than cure.”

If someone suffering from malabsorption – or even indigestion – avoids eating foods rich in fats, or tampering with his normal diet, this is definitely better than resorting to medications that treat this matter.

In the case of a specific disease that caused inflammation that led to malabsorption, the doctor may recommend taking the appropriate specific medication that treats malabsorption, or even resorting to taking substances that are difficult to absorb directly into the blood through intravenous or intramuscular injections.

Conclusion:

When examining the difference between indigestion and malabsorption, we will discover that although malabsorption is considered a symptom of indigestion, it may be considered a serious symptom that should be paid attention to, especially when weight loss, facial pallor, and growth retardation occur in the long term (especially for children). While indigestion only requires the use of a medical preparation such as Zymoforte capsules for digestive disorders, malabsorption may require consulting a doctor to prescribe appropriate medications, and to feed the body with the materials it needs directly through injections, or to plan the appropriate diet to avoid malabsorption.

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Sources:

1. Malabsorption – Medical
2. Indigestion – Mayo Clinic