Final answer:
Steatorrhea is the passage of fat in large quantities in feces due to malabsorption, especially seen in conditions like pancreatitis. It results from a deficiency of pancreatic enzymes needed to digest fats properly, often leading to greasy, foul-smelling stools and potential nutritional deficiencies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Steatorrhea is a condition characterized by the excretion of abnormal quantities of fat with the feces. It commonly occurs in patients with pancreatitis, as the pancreas is responsible for producing enzymes necessary for fat digestion. The debilitating condition of pancreatitis leads to a decrease in or absence of these digestive enzymes, resulting in undigested fats being passed in the stool. This causes the stool to be greasy, often with an unusually foul smell. Jaundice and pale stools are additional signs reflecting bile flow issues and could accompany steatorrhea.
Individuals experiencing steatorrhea often have difficulty absorbing fat-soluble vitamins and may suffer from nutritional deficiencies as a result. This problem can be exacerbated by underlying conditions, such as pancreatitis, which directly impair the function of the pancreas or the flow of bile into the digestive tract, as in cases where gallstones block the hepatopancreatic sphincter. It's essential to manage steatorrhea by addressing its root cause, for instance, through surgical removal of gallstones or managing pancreatitis.