The digestive system secretes a wide array of enzymes that break down food into its constituent nutrients. The digested nutrients pass from the intestine to the bloodstream. The pancreas and small intestine produce the majority of the digestive enzymes. Deficiencies in the production, release or function of the digestive enzymes can lead to a variety of symptoms.
Abdominal Gas, Distention and Flatulence
Intestinal bacteria break down undigested nutrients, commonly releasing gases. The accumulation of these gases in the bowel can cause abdominal distention and excessive flatulence. Lactose intolerance is a common example of a digestive enzyme deficiency associated with these symptoms. The condition occurs when the intestine lacks a sufficient amount of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down milk sugars.
When a person with lactase deficiency consumes more milk products than the intestinal enzymes can digest, lactose builds up in the intestine. Bacterial breakdown of the undigested lactose leads to production of hydrogen, carbon dioxide and methane in the colon, explains "The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals." The excess gas often causes a rumbling noise, known as borborygmi, as it moves through the intestine.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea proves a common symptom with digestive enzyme deficiencies. Normally, the majority of water in the intestine is reabsorbed, leaving semi-solid stool. With digestive enzyme deficiencies, however, undigested food causes increased stool water content, resulting in diarrhea. Conditions associated with digestive enzyme deficiencies and diarrhea include carbohydrate enzyme deficiencies, acute and chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis and pancreatic tumors, notes the medical reference text "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine."
Steatorrhea
Steatorrhea, or fatty stool, typically occurs in patients with a pancreatic digestive enzyme deficiency. The pancreas secretes lipase, an enzyme that breaks down dietary fats. Without this enzyme, most of the fat ingested in the diet passes through the intestine into the stool. The stool of patients with steatorrhea typically appears oily and commonly floats in the commode water. Fatty stools also emit a distinctive foul odor. Pancreatic disorders associated with steatorrhea include acute and chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis and pancreatic cancer, notes the National Library of Medicine encyclopedia MedlinePlus.
Unintentional Weight Loss
Patients with digestive enzyme deficiencies cannot break down one or more types of food components into an absorbable form. The undigested food, therefore, provides no nutrient or caloric value to the patient, and unintentional weight loss results. The diarrhea that commonly accompanies digestive enzyme deficiencies further contributes to weight loss.
Patients with pancreatic disease and reduced digestive enzyme production often experience significant weight loss. Children with cystic fibrosis, for example, commonly have pancreatic enzyme deficiencies caused by blockage of the tubular system that releases digestive fluids into the small intestine. The reduced flow of digestive enzymes impairs protein and fat digestion, leading to malnutrition, weight loss and poor growth, notes "The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals."
References
- "The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals": Carbohydrate Intolerance
- "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 16th Edition"; Dennis L. Kasper, M.D., et al., Editors; 2004
- MedlinePlus: Fecal fat
- "The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals": Cystic Fibrosis
- "The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals": Chronic Pancreatitis
