Diarrhoea & Constipation

Question 1

Osmotic?

Answer 1

Large quantities of non-absorbable substances in the bowel cause water to move to lumen
eg malabsorption condition

Question 2

Secretory?

Answer 2

Secretion of electrolytes into the lumen in response to a signal. Followed by movement of water

Question 3

How is secretory diarrhoea solved?

Answer 3

Replacing electrolytes and fluids

Question 4

Inflammatory diarrhoea?

Answer 4

Damage to mucosal cells leads to blood and fluid loss. Decrease in absorptive *******

Question 5

History for Diarrhoea?

Answer 5

• Acute (<2 weeks) or chronic
• Frequency, urgency, nature of stool (steatorrhoea)
• Blood, mucous, pus
• Explosive eg cholera
• Other symptoms - fever, wt loss, appetite
• Constipation
• Social history

Question 6

Causes of diarrhoea?

Answer 6

-Infective
-IBD
-IBS
-Pancreatic
-Colorectal cancer
-Malabsorption
(**describe each one)

Question 7

Definition of constipation?

Answer 7

2 or less bowel movements per week

Question 8

What does constipation involve?

Answer 8

Straining, hard stools, incomplete emptying, abdo pain, peri-anal pain/bleeding

Question 9

Causes of constipation?

Answer 9

Poor diet

• Obstruction
• IBS
• Anorectal disease

Question 10

Treatment of constipation?

Answer 10

-Treat underlying cause
-Diet, exercise, fluid
-Bulking agents
-Stool softeners
Osmotic laxative
-Stimulant laxative

Question 11

Symptoms of necrotising enterocolitis?