Fructose malabsorption symptoms include bloating, abdominal pain, gas, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, hypoglycemia, and fatigue. Diagnosis involves a food diary and hydrogen breath test. Treatment involves avoiding fructose consumption and developing an individualized diet plan with the help of a medical professional.
The symptoms of fructose malabsorption are often similar to those of other digestive disorders, such as lactose intolerance. The most commonly reported signs of fructose malabsorption include intestinal bloating, abdominal pain, and gas. Additional symptoms may include constipation, diarrhea and vomiting. Some patients with fructose malabsorption problems may experience hypoglycemia, fatigue or eye pain. Any questions or concerns about individual symptoms should be discussed with a doctor or other medical professional.
Getting an accurate diagnosis for the various symptoms of fructose malabsorption can sometimes be difficult, as these symptoms often mimic those of other disorders involving the digestive system. The patient is often asked to keep a food diary which includes all the foods and drinks that are consumed along with the symptoms that occur after consuming these items. Fructose is the natural sugar found in many fruits, so if symptoms consistently start after eating these fruits or drinking fruit juice, it’s likely a fructose malabsorption problem. To confirm this diagnosis, a test known as a hydrogen breath test is typically administered.
Abdominal pain and bloating are among the most common signs of fructose malabsorption. Bloating is thought to be caused by the fermentation of fructose in the intestines, while abdominal pain is often caused by violent intestinal spasms that often occur after ingesting fructose-containing foods. These spasms can cause very uncomfortable bathroom emergencies involving nausea and diarrhea. Some episodes may include alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhea, a condition commonly referred to as irritable bowel syndrome.
Intestinal gas, flatulence, and oily stools are among the potential symptoms of fructose malabsorption. These symptoms can range from mildly annoying to severely debilitating. Hypoglycemia, or hypoglycemia, can develop due to the body’s inability to absorb this type of sugar. Moderate to severe fatigue often occurs during one of these episodes and may resolve on its own as other symptoms resolve.
The only real treatment for fructose malabsorption symptoms is to avoid fructose consumption. Unfortunately, this is no easy feat, as many commercially prepared products include fructose as an ingredient. Some people can manage small amounts of fructose in their diet without experiencing any negative symptoms. For this reason, each person will need to experiment and find the amount of fructose that can safely be added to an individualized diet plan. A doctor, dietician, or nutritionist may be able to help the patient develop a healthy eating plan that minimizes the frequency and severity of fructose malabsorption symptoms.
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