Diarrhoea Flashcards
Diarrhoea is a presenting symptom with many differential diagnoses. It is when there are _ or more ______ stools daily
3 or more watery stools daily
Which levels on the Bristol Stool Chart does diarrhoea fit into?
5-7
Name some types of diarrhoea
Watery
Secretory
Osmotic (poorly absorbed solutes prevent water reabsorption)
Functional (IBS)
Steatorrhea
Inflammatory
How long does diarrhoea continue for it to be classified as acute?
Under 14 days
How long does diarrhoea continue for it to be classified as subacute?
14-28 days
How long does diarrhoea continue for it to be classified as chronic?
Over 28 days
What are some non-infective causes of diarrhoea?
IBD (Crohn’s, UC)
Coeliac disease
Hyperthyroidism
Inflammation
Malignancy
Name 2 viral causes of diarrhoea
Rotavirus (most common in children under 3)
Norovirus
Name 6 bacterial causes of diarrhoea
Campylobacter
C diff.
E Coli
Shigella
Salmonella
Cholera
What is the most common cause of parasitic diarrhoea?
Giardiasis
What increases risk of C. diff infection?
Antibiotics (C’s):
Clarithromycin
Co-amoxiclav
Ciprofloxacin
Cephalosporins
If Guillain Barre (immune system attacks nerves post infection) develops with diarrhoea, what should you suspect?
Campylobacter
If the stool in diarrhoea look like ricewater (pale, milky), what should be suspected?
Cholera
If the patient with diarrhoea is aged under 3, what should be suspected?
Rotavirus
What does dysentery mean?
Diarrhoea with stool containing blood/mucous
