Steatorrheaoccurs when you have too much fat in your stool (poop).
Fatty stools will be pale in color and looser than normal.
Poop with too much fat in it may also float and have a bad smell.
shayneppl / Getty Images
shayneppl / Getty Images
What Is Steatorrhea?
Steatorrhea means you have too much fat in your stool.
Steatorrhea isn’t a medical condition itself, but it can be a symptom of a medical condition.
Steatorrhea is oftenlight-colored or pale.
Occasional, mild-to-moderate cases of steatorrhea may be unpleasant but usually are not anything to be concerned about.
If you have steatorrhea often, however, you should see a healthcare provider.
Steatorrhea itself is not serious, but it can be a sign of an underlying condition that is serious.
As a result, fat and nutrients remain in the stool and are excreted.
If this occurs over a long period, unintentional weight loss and nutritional deficiencies can occur.
These are some common causes of steatorrhea.
Alli or Xenical (orlistat) are examples.
This means it stays in the stool.
What Foods Cause Steatorrhea?
Although it’s unusual, eating very high-fat and/or very high-fiber meals might cause short-term steatorrhea.
They might also order tests to check the fat content of your stool.
Steatorrhea Treament
Treatment for steatorrhea depends on the cause.
Work with a healthcare provider to correctly diagnose the cause of fatty stools and accompanying symptoms.
Lifestyle Changes
Mild or acute cases of steatorrhea may be treated at home.
For example, avoid foods and beverages withlactoseif you are lactose intolerant.
If you have celiac disease, avoiding allfoods and beverages containing glutenis essential to help decrease symptoms.
Signs of steatorrhea include foul-smelling, greasy, mucousy, or bulkier-than-normal stools.
Most mild or acute cases can safely be treated at home.
However, severe or chronic cases require medical attention to determine the underlying cause of your steatorrhea.
The cause dictates proper treatment.
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