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Osmotic diarrhea occurs when ingested nutrients not absorbed in the small bowel, resulting in an osmotic gradient. In basic terms this means water passes from the cells of the small bowel wall to the lumen of the bowel. This can result in malabsorption of nutrients that can lead on to significant nutritional issues in some.
Causes of osmotic diarrhea:
Lactose intolerance (Lactase deficiency)
Celiac disease (Coeliac disease) Amyloidosis
Cancer (Lymphoma)
Small bowel bacterial overgrowth
Crohn's disease
Small bowel surgery
Pancreatitis
Whipples disease
Disaccharidase deficiency These conditions can occur alongside IBS or Irritable Bowel Syndrome so its important not to be 'blinkered' if you have a change in your bowel symptoms. For more information go to www.ibs-help-online .
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