Symptoms
Some Symptoms of mild steatorrhea are foul-smelling stool, a stool that floats, and a stool that is hard to flush away.
Steatorrhea occurs when a person has a loose but bulky stool that contains globs of fat and noticeable oil separation. Mild or short-term cases of steatorrhea may cause some limited discomfort.
Other symptoms of mild steatorrhea are:
- foamy, frothy, or mucous-filled stool
- foul-smelling stool
- diarrhea [3] or loose or runny stool that is bulkier than normal
- light-colored stool, often a light brown, green, orange, or yellow
- stool that floats
- stool that appears to be covered in a thick, greasy film
- stool that is difficult to flush away
- abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, and gassiness
- heartburn and indigestion
- general exhaustion
- minor muscle, bone, and joint ache
- Malnutrition and dehydration may be caused by severe or chronic cases of steatorrhea. Further, serious symptoms can occur as well, especially when associated with underlying medical conditions.
Symptoms of serious or chronic steatorrhea include:
- chronic loose, heavy, foul-smelling, fat-filled stool
- anemia [4]
- muscle weakness and pain
- chronic exhaustion
- weight loss
- fever [5]
- the reduced growth rate in children
- vision problems
- skin conditions
- neurological conditions
- osteoporosis [6]