Diarrhoea Flashcards
1
Q
Referral
A
- Babies <3 months
- Under 1, diabetic, elderly >1 day
- Under 3 year >2 days
- Everyone >3 days
- Signs of dehydration (dry skin, sunken eyes, depressed fontanelle in babies)
- Chronic >3 years
- Magnesium antacids, abx, digoxin
2
Q
First line
A
- Oral rehydration therapy (dioralyte)
- MOA: replaces fluid + electrolytes
- 1 or 2 sachets after each loose motion
- Dissolve in 200ml water
- Boiled + cooled if under 1
- Store in fridge for 24H
3
Q
Loperamide
A
12+
- MOA; anti-motility, binds to opioid receptors in gut to slow gut peristalsis
- 2 caps after each loose stool, max 8 a day
- Not recommended for pregnancy/BF
4
Q
Less recommended alt
A
Kaolin + morphine 12+
Bismuth salicylate (pepto bismol) 16+
- Avoid in aspirin hypersensitivity
- Cause black stool + tongue
5
Q
Advice
A
- Stay hydrated
- Bland + plain food
- Babies: dilute formula feeds to quarter strength + build to normal over 3 days, feed more frequently
- Avoid high sugar drink (prolongs di)
- Avoid milk
