Tropical sprue (patient information)
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What is Tropical Sprue?
Tropical sprue is a condition affecting the absorption of nutrients (malabsorption) that is common in the tropics and subtropics.
What are the symptoms of Tropical Sprue?
- Abdominal cramps
- Diarrhea, worse on high-fat diet
- Excessive gas (flatus)
- Indigestion
- Irritability
- Muscle cramps
- Numbness
- Paleness
- Weight loss
In children, sprue leads to:
- Delay in the maturing of bones (skeletal maturation)
- Growth failure
Who is at risk for Tropical Sprue?
Risk factors are:
- Living in the tropics
- Long periods of travel to tropical destinations
How to know you have yourdisease?
When to seek urgent medical care
Treatment options
Diseases with similar symptoms
Where to find medical care for yourdisease
Directions to Hospitals Treating yourdisease
Prevention of Tropical sprue
Preventions of tropical sprue include avoiding travel to the affected regions.
If you have to travel, remember to use only bottled water for drinking, brushing teeth, and washing food. Do not eat fruits that have been washed with tap water or limit yourself to fruits that can be peeled, such as banana and oranges.
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)
The prognosis for tropical sprue is excellent. It usually does not recur in patients who get it during travel to affected regions. The recurrence rate for natives is about 20%.