What is osmotic diarrhea caused by?

Osmotic diarrhea is usually due to ingestion of poorly absorbed cations (eg, magnesium) or anions (eg, phosphate, or sulfate), which are often contained in laxatives and antacids, or to carbohydrate malabsorption from ingestion of poorly absorbed sugars or sugar alcohols (eg, sorbitol or xylitol).

How does lactase deficiency cause diarrhea?

Secondary lactase deficiency is a common consequence of mucosal diseases, the most important being infantile gastroenteritis. Symptoms of lactase deficiency result from the malabsorbed disaccharide in the colon with the production of gas and increased stool water (diarrhea).

How does celiac disease cause osmotic diarrhea?

Summaries for Osmotic Diarrhea Disease Ontology : 12 Osmotic diarrhea is a dirrhea where diarrhea occurs when too much water is drawn into the bowels. This can be the result of maldigestion (e.g., pancreatic disease or Coeliac disease), in which the nutrients are left in the lumen to pull in water.

Is lactose intolerance an osmotic diarrhea?

Non-digested lactose can cause osmotic diarrhoea; products of its bacterial digestion can lead to secretory diarrhoea and gas distending the intestines, events that are likely to lead to clinical symptoms.

Can a deficiency of lactase cause lactose intolerance?

A deficiency of lactase — an enzyme produced in your small intestine — is usually responsible for lactose intolerance. Many people have low levels of lactase but are able to digest milk products without problems. If you’re actually lactose intolerant, though, your lactase deficiency leads to symptoms after you eat dairy foods.

Which is the most common cause of osmotic diarrhea?

The most common cause of osmotic diarrhea is due to malabsorption of lactose derived from dairy products, known as lactose intolerance. As described in Carbohydrate Digestion and Absorption lactose must be cleaved into its component monosaccharides by lactase before their absorption.

How does lactase affect the absorption of osmotically active lactose?

In the absence of lactase, osmotically active lactose cannot be absorbed and remains in the intestinal lumen, thus interfering with water resorption. Additionally, certain laxatives are intentionally composed of poorly absorbable osmolytes, thus explaining their mechanism of action.

How does lactose malabsorption affect the small intestine?

If you have lactose malabsorption, your small intestine makes low levels of lactase—the enzyme that breaks down lactose—and can’t digest all the lactose you eat or drink. The undigested lactose passes into your colon. Bacteria in your colon break down the lactose and create fluid and gas.