Steatorrhea facts for kids
Steatorrhea (say: stee-uh-tuh-REE-uh) is a medical term for when your body has trouble digesting and absorbing fat from the food you eat. This means there's too much undigested fat in your poop. When this happens, your poop might look lighter, sometimes even whitish. It can also smell much stronger and more unpleasant than usual, and it might float on the water in the toilet instead of sinking.
What Causes Steatorrhea?
Steatorrhea happens because your body isn't able to properly break down and take in the fats from your diet. Your body normally makes special chemicals called enzymes that help digest fats. If you don't have enough of these enzymes, or if something else is stopping your body from using them, fat can pass through your system without being absorbed.
Sometimes, taking extra enzymes, similar to the ones your body usually makes, can help with this problem. However, it's important to find out why your body isn't digesting fat properly.
When to See a Doctor
If someone has symptoms of steatorrhea, it's a good idea to talk to a doctor. A doctor can help figure out what's causing the problem. The reasons for not being able to digest fat can be simple or more serious. Just treating the symptoms might not be enough, as it's important to understand the root cause.
See also
In Spanish: Esteatorrea para niños
