Define Factors Contribute to the Malabsorption - Radiation Damage?
Malabsorption of water, fats, bile salts, carbohydrates, calcium, magnesium, iron and vitamin B12 occur during RT. Several factors contribute to the malabsorption that occurs in radiation damage. These include.
1. Decreased available absorptive surface area due to radiation damage.
2. Chronic lymphatic obstruction causing steatorrhoea and protein loss,
3. Secondary disaccharidase deficiency
4. Bile salts malabsorption leading to choleric diarrhoea.
5. Rapid intestinal transit. So then how to manage this condition through nutritional support.