Diarrhoea

Question 1

Define Diarrhoea

Answer 1

Increase in the passage of soft or watery stools –> can cause loss of fluids/salts –> dehydration

Question 2

Describe the aetiology in terms of medications, viruses and bacteria

Answer 2

Drugs:
- Increases GI motility: bowel movement increases –> less time for reabsorption of water back into the cells -> more water enters and or remains in the stools
Viruses:
- what they do is BLUNT villi of the upper small intestine which reduces absorptive surface –> less water reabsorbed
Bacteria
- similar MOA to viruses

Question 3

What is the 1st line of treatment of diarrhoea in children and dose

Answer 3

Oral rehydration salts
- 5ml fluid/kg of body weight each hr

Question 4

Whats the MOA of Opoid Anti-diarrhoeals?
- Examples
- Dose

Answer 4

Activates opioid receptors in the gut wall which decreases GI motility and provides opportunity for fluid reabsorption
- Loperamide (dose: 4mg initially + 2mg with each loose bowl movement)

Question 5

At what does of loperamide causes serious complications

Answer 5

40 to 300 mg