About glucose galactose malabsorption

What is glucose galactose malabsorption?

Glucose-galactose malabsorption is an inherited metabolic disorder characterized by the small intestine's inability to transport and absorb glucose and galactose (simple sugars or monosaccharides). Glucose and galactose have very similar chemical structures, and normally the same transport enzyme provides them with entry into specialized cells in the small intestine where they are absorbed and transferred to other cells. As a result of a mutation on chromosome 22, the transport enzyme does not function properly and the result is glucose-galactose malabsorption.

What are the symptoms for glucose galactose malabsorption?

Stomach symptom was found in the glucose galactose malabsorption condition

Symptoms usually begin in the first days of life, when a newborn drinks milk. Milk is broken down into simple sugars. Symptoms include severe Diarrhea which can lead to life-threatening Dehydration and difficulties gaining weight. The Diarrhea and Dehydration are fatal if left untreated. Once symptoms are managed, affected children typically have a normal lifespan. The symptoms may become less severe as patients age, which can allow for some sugars to be introduced back into their diet.

Children with GGM can have infrequent Diarrhea when eating high sugar foods. Mild amounts of sugar in the urine (glucosuria) of an affected child may be a warning that kidney stones are developing.

In adults, symptoms of GGM may include Bloating, Nausea, Diarrhea, Abdominal cramps, rumbling sounds caused by gas in the intestine and Frequent urination.

What are the causes for glucose galactose malabsorption?

Normally, the SCL5A1 gene creates a protein that transports glucose and galactose into the intestines and kidneys. These simple sugars are used throughout the body and removed through urination.

When the gene is not working, the sugars are not transported and absorbed properly. There is nowhere for the glucose and galactose to go except into the stool. These sugars draw large amounts of water out of the body and into the stool, leading to watery (osmotic) diarrhea.

GGM is a recessive genetic condition. Recessive genetic disorders occur when an individual inherits a non-working gene from each parent. If an individual receives one working gene and one non-working gene for the disease, the person will be a carrier for the disease, but usually will not show symptoms. The risk for two carrier parents to both pass on the non-working gene and, therefore, have an affected child is 25% with each pregnancy. The risk to have a child who is a carrier, like the parents, is 50% with each pregnancy. The chance for a child to receive working genes from both parents is 25%. The risk is the same for males and females.

What are the treatments for glucose galactose malabsorption?

Treatment involves avoiding milk, milk products, and foods with glucose and galactose. Patients will need to follow a low glucose and low galactose diet. Fructose, a different simple sugar, can be used as a substitute for glucose and galactose. Some individuals may eventually be able to introduce these foods back into their diet, however, others may need to follow these restrictions for life. It is recommended that patients with GGM speak to a nutritionist familiar with the condition to identify a low or glucose-galactose-free diet and to see if gradual reintroduction is tolerated.

What are the risk factors for glucose galactose malabsorption?

A deficiency in the transport of glucose and galactose across the intestinal lining results in the rare metabolic condition known as glucose galactose malabsorption (GGM). If lactose (milk sugar), sucrose (table sugar), glucose, and galactose are not eliminated from the diet, GGM is characterised by severe diarrhea and dehydration. If these sugars are not eliminated, GGM can quickly lead to death. However, up to 10% of people could have a little decreased ability to absorb glucose without any corresponding health issues.

Risk factors involved in glucose-galactose malabsorption (GGM).

  • GGM is a recessive genetic condition and rare disorder that can be passed on in the family. These are the risk factors involved:
  • If left untreated, diarrhea and dehydration can be lethal. Children who are impacted often live normal lives after their symptoms are treated. As individuals get older, the symptoms could get less severe, allowing for the reintroduction of some carbohydrates into the diet.
  • When eating foods high in sugar, children with GGM may experience rare bouts of diarrhea. Kidney stones may be developing in a youngster who has mild quantities of sugar in their urine (glucosuria).
  • Bloating, nausea, diarrhea, stomach pains, rumbling sounds coming from the intestines, and frequent urination are some of the symptoms of GGM in adults.



Conditions
Bloating,Nausea,Diarrhea,Stomach pains,Rumbling sounds coming from the intestines,Frequent urination
Drugs
L-carnitine,Avoiding milk, milk products, and foods containing glucose and galactose is part of the treatment
Symptoms
Abdominal pain,Unpredictable bowel movements,Variation in stool consistency,Bloating,Passing gas (flatulence),Nausea,Headache,Fatigue,Depression,Anxiety,Difficulty concentrating

Is there a cure/medications for glucose galactose malabsorption?

An uncommon, genetic, autosomal recessive condition called galactose malabsorption (CGGM) typically manifests in infants. Malnutrition, hyperosmolar dehydration, and severe diarrhea are symptoms of CGGM. It often poses a threat to life and does not respond to standard therapy.

Cause of glucose-galactose malabsorption (GGM).

  • The inability of the small intestine to absorb and utilize glucose and galactose is what causes it (simple sugars).
  • The molecular structures of glucose and galactose are extremely similar. Both sugars are transported into the intestines by the same protein.
  • The body uses the simple sugars that are absorbed in the intestines.
  • This enzyme functions correctly thanks to the GGM gene.
  • The enzyme cannot transport the simple sugars into the small intestines when this gene is altered (mutated), leading to GGM.


Cure or medication for glucose-galactose malabsorption (GGM).

  • Despite the fact that there is currently no treatment for GGM, patients can manage their symptoms (diarrhea) by cutting out lactose, sucrose, and glucose from their diets.
  • Avoiding milk, milk products, and foods containing glucose and galactose is part of the treatment.
  • Diets low in galactose and glucose must be followed by patients. Galactose and glucose can both be swapped out for fructose, a different simple sugar.
  • Some people might eventually be able to include certain foods back into their diets, but others might have to adhere to these limits for the rest of their lives.
  • Patients with GGM are advised to consult a nutritionist who is experienced with the condition about a low- or glucose-galactose-free diet and to determine whether a slow reintroduction is tolerable.


Conditions
Bloating,Nausea,Diarrhea,Stomach pains,Rumbling sounds coming from the intestines,Frequent urination
Drugs
L-carnitine,Avoiding milk, milk products, and foods containing glucose and galactose is part of the treatment
Symptoms
Abdominal pain,Unpredictable bowel movements,Variation in stool consistency,Bloating,Passing gas (flatulence),Nausea,Headache,Fatigue,Depression,Anxiety,Difficulty concentrating

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