Final answer:
Steatorrhea is a condition characterized by the excessive excretion of lipids in feces, commonly due to the impaired digestion and absorption of fats that can result from conditions like pancreatitis and gallstones. Symptoms of steatorrhea include bulky, fatty stools that float, along with diarrhea, nausea, and stomach cramps.
Step-by-step explanation:
Steatorrhea is a condition wherein there is an excessive excretion of lipids in the feces. This occurs due to conditions that impair the digestion and absorption of fats, such as the obstruction of bile flow or defects in the intestinal absorption of digested lipids. The stools in steatorrhea are often characterized by being bulky, fatty, and may appear to float due to the undigested triglycerides they contain.
Conditions such as pancreatitis and gallstones can lead to steatorrhea. Pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas, can disrupt the production of digestive enzymes necessary for fat absorption. In the case of gallstones, large stones can block the bile duct and prevent bile, essential for fat digestion, from entering the intestine. Without bile, fats are not emulsified and digested properly, leading to fat malabsorption and steatorrhea.
The symptoms associated with steatorrhea can include diarrhea, malabsorption, nausea, and stomach cramps. In addition to steatorrhea, individuals with fat malabsorption may experience a loss of fat-soluble vitamins and essential fatty acids, which can lead to various nutritional deficiencies.