Diarrhoea

Question 1

What are the 5 general types of diarrhoea

Answer 1

• Secretory
• Osmotic
• Abnormal intestinal motility
• Exudative
• Malabsorption

Question 2

Describe Secretory diarrhoea

Answer 2

Due to greater secretion than absorption, large volumes, not related to fasting, can be caused by infection or can be caused by carcinoid polypeptide secreating tumour

Question 3

Describe Osmtoic diarrhoea

Answer 3

typically is related to meals and hence will disapear with fasting, most common is intolerance to foods such as lactose and fructose

Question 4

Describe Abnormal intestinal motility diarrhoea

Answer 4

Due to increased motility of the gut in Tyroidtoxicosis or IBS

Question 5

Describe Exudative diarrhoea

Answer 5

Due to the presence of Inflammation such as in IBD and colon cancer and there is typically presence of blood and mucus with small but frequent volumes

Question 6

Describe Malabsorption diarrhoea

Answer 6

Presence of fatty, pale stools that are difficult to flush

Question 7

What are the common Differential Dx with someone who presents with Diarrhoea

Answer 7

IBS, coeliacs, post-infection and food intolerences

Question 8

What are the less common Differential Dx with someone who presents with Diarrhoea

Answer 8

IBD (Crohn’s or UC), Colon cancer or Chronic Pancreatitis

Question 9

What diseases can masquerade as Diarrhoea

Answer 9

Endocrine, Short Bowel Syndrome, radiation and medications

Question 10

What endocrine disorders can cause diarrhoea

Answer 10

Diaabetes, Hyperthroidism, hypothyroidism and Addisson’s Disease