Maldigestion and Malabsorption—How It Can Affect You Despite Eating Well

As a leading gastroenterology clinic in Kolkata, we at Livgastro widely diagnose cases where patients come with a complaint of frequent diarrhoea, and after diagnosis, it is revealed they have Maldigestion and Malabsorption. This is a prevalent case with older patients above the age of 60. This leads to malnutrition.

Fancy, similar-sounding medical names can be confusing, and when they all end up in a stomach bug, it is even tougher to tell them apart. That’s the case of Malabsorption and Maldigestion.

Whether you have heard of them or have no clue what they mean, here’s an insight from the desk of the best gastroenterologist in West Bengal to keep you aware that they are not the same thing, and they can affect you even if you eat a healthy and balanced diet.

• Maldigestion: The inability of the small intestine to properly complete the luminal phase of digestion to break down food particles into enzymes.
• Malabsorption: The inability of the small intestine to properly complete the mucosal phase and absorb nutrients from food into the bloodstream—often as a consequence of maldigestion.

Although they can occur separately, maldigestion and malabsorption are frequently interdependent syndromes. Normal weakness, frequent digestive problems and unexplained weight loss are some of the key warning signs that your body is not absorbing the nutrients from the food you eat.

Do not neglect these “minor” issues. They can be closely related to more serious conditions like cystic fibrosis, celiac disease or Crohn’s disease. Stay aware. Stay healthy. You can consult the best gastroenterologist in West Bengal right here at LivGastro. We offer an all-encompassing solution for diagnosis, treatment, and integrative liver gastro care.

Eating Well and Nutrition—How Gut Health Impacts Digestion and Every Other Bodily Function

Our gut health impacts every vital organ and function of the body. The pancreas, liver, and intestines are central to the digestive process and must work in sync. But when there is a disruption in this balance, such as the insufficiency of digestive enzymes in the body or prolonged gastrointestinal motility disturbances, it may be a precursor to maldigestion and malabsorption.

You don’t need to be the best gastroenterologist in West Bengal to know how our body works like a machine. Just like any other mechanical process, our body needs an energy source—that’s the food we eat. Now, imagine if there were a malfunction in a mechanical part; the machine would stop working properly despite having an adequate supply of energy. That is exactly how it works for our digestive system.

Dr Vijay Kumar Rai is the top stomach pain doctor in Eastern Metropolitan Bypass who works with Integrative treatment plans and navigates different aspects of gut health and how they impact individuals developing maldigestion and malabsorption.

In many cases, people have difficulty with specific types of foods, like carbohydrates, intolerance of gluten or excessive alcohol intake that may interfere with enzyme activity, or even cause cellular damage to the small intestine lining. Bacterial Malabsorption and Bile Acid Malabsorption (BAM) are also included in the aetiology.

Maldigestion and Malabsorption Treatment in Kolkata

Many people follow the drill of keeping over-the-counter medications in their pocket and self-treat their symptoms. Medication is not always the best answer. Below is a basic layout of our gastroenterology treatment in Kolkata for maldigestion and malabsorption.

• Diagnosis:

Understanding the underlying cause of madigestion and malabsorption is the first stage of treatment. We carry out tests like Serological (blood) tests and stool or faecal tests for exocrine pancreatic functions or evidence of steatorrhea (fat malabsorption).

• Medical Treatment:

Treating maldigestion and malabsorption has to go beyond medications. We favour integrative approaches to address each problem down to its root:

• Dietary modification is used to manage any food intolerances that cause the problem, particularly in cases of carbohydrate or protein malabsorption
• Any deficiency of enzymes or vitamins has to be supplemented to make up for them
• Bile acid sequestrants are prescribed for Bile Acid Malabsorption (BAM)
• Stomach infections are treated with antibiotics
• Lifestyle Management:

Sometimes lifestyle changes, eating habits, a combination of foods, and alcohol intake are vital factors that determine the treatment.

Remember that treating malnutrition caused by either or both of maldigestion or malabsorption involves more than writing a prescription. At Livgastro, we ensure that each patient receives clear, personalised plans that combine medical treatment with nutrition guidance. In each case, the aim is not just to correct deficiencies but to restore strength, energy, and quality of life.

Consult the Best Gastroenterologist in Kolkata for Maldigestion and Malabsorption

Some of the common foods, like roti with aloo sabzi, pasta, and natural sugarcane sugars, cow milk, are some of the most common sources of carbs. In cases of deficient carbohydrate assimilation, bacteria can ferment in the small intestine, which may lead to malabsorption in the digestive process. So what happens when it does? You feel frequent bloating, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. If you have it multiple times in short intervals, this is a good time to see a doctor.

We at LivGastro have Dr Rai and some of the best stomach pain doctors in Eastern Metropolitan Bypass here with us to give you personalised support through every stage of healthcare. Diagnosing persistent symptoms is a vital part of effective treatments and our integrative liver gastro care. It gives doctors the time and scope to isolate the specific underlying issues of the ailment and prevent it from growing. Therefore, timely consultation with a specialist can make all the difference.