Whipple Disease

Intestinal lipodystrophy, also known as Whipple disease, is an uncommon condition caused by a bacterial infection that affects mainly the small intestine and hinders the absorption of nutrients.

Common symptoms: Diarrhea, weight loss, abdominal pain, and joint pain usually occur; over time other complaints may appear due to poor absorption of food.

When to seek care? The combination of prolonged diarrhea, weight loss, and joint pain with no clear explanation warrants a careful evaluation.

Which specialist treats it? The gastroenterologist is the professional who studies the digestive system and intestinal absorption. If you have digestive symptoms that persist over time, the advisable thing is to discuss them with a doctor to guide the workup.