Спру (Sprue, Psilosis)

Sprue, Psilosis: causes, symptoms and treatment

Sprue, also known as Psilosis or Sprue tropica, is a malabsorption disorder caused by a disease of the small intestine. This disease can occur both in local residents of tropical countries and in people living in temperate areas if they have been in tropical countries for several weeks or months.

Symptoms of sprue may include inflammation of the tongue (glossitis), diarrhea (usually with steatorrhea), anemia and weight loss. These symptoms may be caused by inflammation and atrophy of the lining of the small intestine, which can be caused by infection.

Diagnosis of sprue can be made based on clinical symptoms as well as the results of stool, blood tests, and small intestinal biopsies.

Treatment for sprue may include antibiotics and folic acid, as well as dietary changes. Sometimes the disease can go away on its own after the person returns to his usual area with a temperate climate.

There is also non-tropical sprue, which is called celiac disease. It can occur due to various reasons, such as celiac disease, Crohn's disease or alcoholism. Treatment for this type of sprue may include treating the underlying condition, changing diet, and taking probiotics.

In general, sprue is a serious disease that can lead to long-term depletion of the body. If you have any symptoms of sprue, see your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.



Sprue is a malabsorption of food resulting from a disease of the small intestine. Tropical sprue often occurs in people living in temperate climates if they are exposed to hot, tropical climates for several weeks or months.

Symptoms of tropical sprue are:

  1. Diarrhea (usually steatorrhea)
  2. Inflammation of the tongue (glossitis)
  3. Anemia
  4. Weight loss

In this disease, the lining of the small intestine becomes inflamed and atrophies (possibly caused by infection).

Antibiotics and folic acid are used to treat tropical sprue, but sometimes the disease can go away on its own after the person returns to their usual temperate area.

See also Celiac disease (non-tropical sprue), Malabsorption.



Sprue is a malabsorption of nutrients in the small intestine that can occur with various diseases. This disease manifests itself as frequent watery and liquid bowel movements, which are accompanied by abdominal pain and weight loss. The consequences of this are dehydration of the body and depletion of its food reserves. Lack of attention to the problem threatens with severe pathologies in the form of depoliidemia and diarrhea syndrome. Sprue occurs as a result of inflammation of the small intestinal mucosa and impaired cell regeneration, which is caused by the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms. Based on the number of cells involved in the process, the syndrome can be classified into acute, chronic, imperforate and gastroduodenopancreatitis. The disease most often occurs in children, and the most common symptoms are the patient feeling unwell, diarrhea, blood (in rare cases) and low hemoglobin in the blood. In adult patients, non-toxic, with mild symptoms, is more common.

The method of its treatment depends on the causes of sprue or the specific course of the disease. In acute cases, on the first day of the disease the patient is prescribed gastric lavage, in other cases - diet, antipyretic and diuretic drugs. The presence of loose stools entails taking medications with an antibacterial effect. Until recently, it was believed that the risk of developing pathology increases in the summer or when the temperature changes. Scientists from Finland clarified that sprue can occur at any time of the year in any corner of the world. IN