Treatment
Home remedies to improve symptoms of steatorrhea are reducing dietary fat, stopping smoking, and staying hydrated.
The treatment for steatorrhea depends on the cause and severity of the symptoms. Mild cases of steatorrhea can be improved at home with rest and basic care.
You can also follow specific dietary instructions to reduce the risk of fatty stool.
Home remedies for treating and preventing steatorrhea include:
- staying hydrated
- reducing dietary fiber intake
- reducing dietary fat intake
- quitting or reducing smoking
- stopping or reducing alcohol use
- reducing or limiting potassium oxalate intake
- increasing dietary intake of fat-soluble vitamins by consuming nutritional supplements, such as vitamins A, D, E, and K. A range of multivitamin supplements are available for purchase online.
- increasing dietary intake of vitamin B-12, folic acid, iron, magnesium, and calcium
- taking over-the-counter antidiarrheal medications, including loperamide (Imodium) and bismuth subsalicylate (Kaopectate, Pepto-Bismol). A range of antidiarrheal medications is available for purchase over the counter or online.
- taking an over-the-counter antacid, anti-bloating, and gas medications
Serious or chronic cases of steatorrhea will normally need medical attention. People with steatorrhea because of an existing medical condition will also usually need medical treatment.
Medications used to treat and prevent steatorrhea include:
- Intravenous fluids (IV) to restore electrolytes and stop dehydration
- Anti-diarrheal medications
- Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT)
- Proton-pump inhibitors or PPIs
- MHC oils