Treatment of the symptoms
To prevent deficiency diseases, blood levels of electrolytes, calcium, magnesium, phosphate, zinc, folic acid and vitamin B12 are to be monitored and, if required, they must be compensated through an increased dose. Vitamin B12 must be injected directly into the muscle, if the last section of the ileum is missing; this is the place where it is normally absorbed.
In case of overproduction of stomach acid, the patient should be treated with a proton pump inhibitor such as omeprazole. This usually improves the diarrhea problem.
In case of severe steatorrhea, a carbohydrate-rich diet is required. The proportion of medium-chain fatty acids (MCT) on the triglycerides should be increased to a level of 50 to 75 percent.
To counter/prevent the formation of gallstones and kidney stones anion exchanger cholestyramine and a dose of calcium are effective means.
To prolong the transit time of the bolus it may help not to drink during meals.