Diarrhoea Flashcards
What are the 2 types of diarrhoea
Acute: < 2 weeks
Chronic: > 2 weeks
Causes of diarrhoea
Infection (salmonella, e.coli, c.diff)
Drugs
Gastroenteritis
Which drugs can cause diarrhoea
CALM DIarrhoea
- colchicine
- antibiotics
-laxatives - magnesium (antacids)
- digoxin
Diarrhoea Aim of treatment
Prevent dehydration and fluid/ electrolyte depletion
Signs of dehydration in babies
Crying with no tears
Reduced urine output
Sunken eyes
Acting different
Not eating as well
Signs of dehydration in adults
Sunken eyes
Reduced urine output
Tiredness, weakness, confusion
Muscle cramps
Dry mouth and tongue
Headaches, lightheaded
Red flags of diarrhoea
Unexplained weight loss
Rectal bleeding
Signs of dehydration
Persistent diarrhoea
Recent hospital or antibiotics given
Recent foreign travel
Systemic illness
Management of diarrhoea
Increased fluid
Oral rehydration sachets (IV if serious)
Loperamide (not in pregnancy)
Kaolin
Ciprofloxacin (occasional prophylaxis for travellers diarrhoea)
Risk associated with kaolin
Abuse risk
Can you give loperamide in pregnancy
No
Loperamide in breastfeeding
Amount too small to be harmful
Loperamide important safety information
Hint: heart
Overdose can cause QT prolongation which can lead to deaths
How do you reverse loperamide overdose
How many times do we give it?
Is monitoring required?
Naloxone
May need to be repeated more than once as loperamides duration of action is longer than naloxones
And monitor for 48 hours
Naloxones duration of action
1-3 hours
Which antibiotic needs to be stopped if diarrhoea occurs
Clindamycin
