From the Research
Erythrocytosis is a condition characterized by an abnormally high concentration of red blood cells in the blood, which can be measured as elevated hemoglobin, hematocrit, or red blood cell count, as defined by a study published in Bailliere's clinical haematology 1. Fatty, oily, floating stool in IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) is not directly related to fatty liver disease. These floating stools, also called steatorrhea, typically indicate fat malabsorption issues in the digestive tract rather than liver problems. While both IBS and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can co-exist as they share risk factors like obesity and metabolic syndrome, the presence of fatty stools in IBS is usually due to intestinal factors such as rapid transit time, pancreatic insufficiency, or bile acid malabsorption. Some key points to consider include:
- IBS and NAFLD are highly prevalent entities worldwide and may share similar mechanisms including gut dysbiosis, impaired intestinal mucosal barrier and immune system activation 2.
- A significant correlation between the severity of IBS and NAFLD has been found, with the proportion of NAFLD subjects with IBS increasing with NAFLD severity 2.
- IBS symptoms in NAFLD patients are an indicator of depression and anxiety, with female sex, depression, and body mass index (BMI)>30 being independent predictors of IBS in NAFLD 3. If you're experiencing persistent fatty stools, it's essential to consult a healthcare provider for proper evaluation, as this symptom may require specific testing to determine the underlying cause, which could include conditions beyond IBS such as pancreatic disorders, celiac disease, or inflammatory bowel disease. The most recent and highest quality study suggests that IBS patients are three times more likely to have NAFLD compared with non-IBS patients, highlighting the need for clinicians to be alert when IBS symptoms are reported by a NAFLD patient 2.