STEATORRHEA Meaning and
Definition
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Steatorrhea refers to a medical condition characterized by the presence of excessive amounts of fat in the stool. It is derived from the Greek words "steato" meaning fat and "rrhea" meaning flow or discharge. Normally, a small amount of fats is present in the stool, which gives it a characteristic brown color and helps in its formation. However, in cases of steatorrhea, the digestive system is unable to properly absorb and process fats from the diet, leading to their excessive excretion in the feces.
Steatorrhea can occur due to various underlying conditions that affect the digestive system's ability to break down and absorb fats. These conditions may include pancreatic disorders like chronic pancreatitis or cystic fibrosis, gallbladder disease, celiac disease, Crohn's disease, or certain medications like orlistat. Individuals with steatorrhea often experience symptoms such as pale, bulky, and foul-smelling stools, oily or greasy appearance, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, bloating, and weight loss.
The diagnosis of steatorrhea typically involves a combination of clinical evaluation, stool examination to quantify the amount of fat, and sometimes additional tests to identify the underlying cause. Treatment focuses on addressing the underlying condition, if present, and managing its symptoms. This may involve dietary modifications, including a low-fat diet and the addition of digestive enzyme supplements to aid fat digestion and absorption. In some cases, medications may be prescribed to alleviate symptoms or improve fat absorption. It is important to seek medical attention if one experiences symptoms suggestive of steatorrhea, as this may indicate an underlying health issue that requires proper diagnosis and management.
Common Misspellings for STEATORRHEA
- ateatorrhea
- zteatorrhea
- xteatorrhea
- dteatorrhea
- eteatorrhea
- wteatorrhea
- sreatorrhea
- sfeatorrhea
- sgeatorrhea
- syeatorrhea
- s6eatorrhea
- s5eatorrhea
- stwatorrhea
- stsatorrhea
- stdatorrhea
- stratorrhea
- st4atorrhea
- st3atorrhea
- steztorrhea
- teatorrhea
Etymology of STEATORRHEA
The word "steatorrhea" originates from the combination of two Greek terms: "steato-" meaning "fat" and "-rrhea" meaning "flow" or "discharge".
"Steato-" is derived from the Greek word "stear", which means "fat" or "tallow". This refers to the excessive presence of fat in the excreted stool, which is a characteristic symptom of steatorrhea.
"-rrhea" comes from the Greek word "rhein", meaning "to flow" or "to stream". It is commonly used as a suffix to indicate abnormal or excessive discharge, such as in terms like diarrhea or pyorrhea.
Therefore, "steatorrhea" describes a condition where there is an excessive flow of fat in the stool. This often occurs due to malabsorption or impaired digestion of fats in the intestines.
Similar spelling word for STEATORRHEA
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