Definition

Noun: - A medical condition characterized by the impaired or abnormal absorption of nutrients (such as fats, proteins, vitamins, or carbohydrates) from the gastrointestinal tract into the bloodstream.

Usage and Examples

• General Usage: The term is used primarily in medical and clinical contexts to describe a dysfunction of the digestive system.
  • Celiac disease can lead to malabsorption of essential vitamins and minerals.
  • The patient's chronic diarrhea and weight loss were symptoms of malabsorption.
• In Diagnosis: Often used when discussing tests, syndromes, or the consequences of other conditions.
  • The doctor ordered tests to confirm a diagnosis of malabsorption.

Advanced Usage and Notes

• "Malabsorption syndrome": A broader term for a collection of disorders that share the common feature of malabsorption.
  • Chronic pancreatitis is a common cause of malabsorption syndrome.
• The condition is typically the result of another disease, infection, or surgical procedure affecting the intestines, pancreas, or liver.

Variants and Related Words

• Malabsorptive (adjective): Relating to or characterized by malabsorption.
  • The patient underwent surgery for a malabsorptive disorder.
• Malabsorb (verb, rare): To absorb poorly. (Note: This is a very rare back-formation and is not standard clinical terminology.)

Synonyms

• Impaired absorption
• Defective absorption
• Malassimilation (a less common, more technical synonym)

Antonyms

• Normal absorption
• Adequate absorption
• Efficient absorption

Related Phrases and Concepts

• Malabsorption test: A diagnostic procedure.
  • The malabsorption test revealed a deficiency in fat absorption.
• Cause of malabsorption: A common phrase in medical literature.
  • The article reviewed the various causes of malabsorption.

Noun

1. abnormal absorption of nutrients from the digestive tract