Síndrome de malabsorción (II). Enfermedad celiaca. Intolerancia a la lactosa. Sobrecrecimiento bacteriano

Malabsorption syndrome is defined by the signs and symptoms produced by the nutritional deficiency which responds to the inappropriate absorption of nutrients in the bowel (proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals). Coeliac disease is one of the most frequent causes, which consists in an immunological gluten intolerance. Gluten is found in foods processed from wheat, barley and rye. It produces a mucous inflammation, cryptic hyperplasia and villous atrophy in coeliac patients. Lactose intolerance is also frequent and is produced by a primary deficiency of lactase or secondary to an underlying intestinal disease. Clinical manifestations of both pathologies are those of malabsorption syndrome and treatment approach consists in avoiding respectively gluten and lactose of diet. Finally, bacterial overgrowth is a frequent cause of malabsorption too.