Q. Explain about Steatorrhoea?

Steatorrhoea is a symptom of the disorders of fat metabolism and malabsorption syndrome and can be defined as n condition of foul-smelling bulky faces. It is suspected when the patient passes large, "greasy", and foul-smelling stools. Both digestive and absorptive disorders can cause steatorrhoea. Digestive disorders affect the production and release of the enzyme lipase from the pancreas, or bile from the liver, which are substances that aid digestion of fats. Absorptive disorders disturb the absorptive and enzyme functions of the intestine. Any condition that causes malabsorption or maldigestion is also associated, with increased faecal fat (steatorrhoea). As an example, children with cystic fibrosis (hereditary disease) have mucous plugs that block the pancreatic ducts. l' he absence or significant decrease of the pancreatic enzymes; amylase, lipase, trypsin, and chymotrypsin limits fat, protein and carbohydrate digestion, resulting in steatorrhoea due to fat malabsorption.