altered bowel habit

Question 1

cause of high volume diarrhoea

Answer 1

increased water content due to

1) secretory (intestinal inflammation)
2) osmotic (malabsorption)

Question 2

what kind of diarrhoea stops with fasting?

Answer 2

osmotic diarrhoea stops

Question 3

what is steatorrhoea?

Answer 3

diarrhoea associated with fat malabsorption

Question 4

what is low volume diarrhoea associated with?

Answer 4

IBS

Question 5

acute causes of diarrhoea

Answer 5

infective gastroenteritis

drugs (antibiotics)

Question 6

chronic causes of diarrhoea

Answer 6

IBS
IBD
parasitic infestations 
colorectal cancer
laxative abuse
hyperthyroidism
malabsorption

Question 7

what kind of diarrhoea is associated with small bowel disease?

Answer 7

large volume and not excessively frequent

Question 8

what kind of diarrhoea is associated with large bowel disease?

Answer 8

small volume and excessively frequent

Question 9

causes of bloody diarrhoea

Answer 9

IBD
colonic ischaemia
infective gastroenteritis

Question 10

causes of constipation

Answer 10

• lack of fibre in diet
• IBS
• intestinal obstruction (cancer)
• drugs (opioids, iron)
• metabolic/endocrine (hypothyroidism, hypercalcaemia)
• immobility (stroke, Parkinsons)

Question 11

what is tenesmus and what is it suggestive of

Answer 11

sensation of needing to defecate although the rectum is empty. suggestive of rectal inflammation or tumour.