Diarrhoea Flashcards
What is diarrhoea?
Abnormal passing of loose or liquid stool, increases frequency, increased volume or both
What is the WHO definition of diarrhoea?
Passage of three or more loose or liquid stools per day
What is the Bristol Stool Chart?
A diagnostic tool used to clarify stool samples
What do each types on the Bristol Stool Chart refer to?
1-2 hard to pass stools (constipation)
3-4 well formed.
5,6,7 excess liquid stools or entirely liquid stools (diarrhoea)
What is acute diarrhoea?
Symptoms last longer than 14 days
What are the main causes of acute diarrheoa?
- infection
- drugs
- acute symptom of chronic disorder
- food allergies, anxiety, alcohol
What are the different infections that cause diarrhoea?
Bacteria - most are self-limiting, will resolve in few days without treatment. Immunocompromised patients with severe infections may need antibiotics. C.Diff treated using antibiotics
virus - rotavirus, norovirus. No specific treatment. Supportive treatment may be required for dehydration
Protoza - usually in patients who have travelled. Metronidazole used to treat anaerobic and giardia infections. Cryptosporidium infections usually don’t need treatment
Why is rehydration a treatment in acute diarrhoea?
ORT used to prevent or correct dehydration, replace fluid electrolytes. Doralie, Doralie relief. May require rehydration with IV fluids in hospital
Why is anit-moitlity drugs a treatment in acute diarrhoea?
prolong transit time of intestinal contents, allowing greater absorption of fluid from gut content. Loperamide used, controls symptoms rapidly, few adverse effects. Prescription for adults and children over 4, OTC for adults and children over 12.
Why is dietary advice a treatment in acute diarrhoea?
Guide by appetite. Start with small light meals, and avoid fatty and spicy foods. Important to keep drinking.
What is C.Diff?
Gram negative anaerobic bacteria, normally present in GI tract. When harmless bacterial disrupted, C.Diff bacteria able to produce toxins which damage lining of colon and cause diarrhoea.
What are the risk factors for C.Diff?
- increase age
- antibiotic treatment
- previous C.Diff infection
- exposure through other C.Diff cases
What is the treatment for C.Diff?
- oral vancomycin is first line
- metronidazole and fidaxomicin are also used
What is chronic diarrhoea?
Symptoms last for more than 4 weeks
What are the causes of chronic diarrheoa?
- chronic GI such as IBD, IBS or diverticulitis
- laxative use
- drugs
- food allergy or intolerance
- feature of chronic diseases
- sign of malignancy in GI tract
- pancreatitis
- bile salt malabsorption
