Treatment of minor ailments – diarrhoea, constipation and haemorrhoids Flashcards
Question: Define diarrhea.
Answer: Diarrhea is the passing of watery stools more than three times a day.
Question: Differentiate between acute and chronic diarrhea in terms of onset and duration.
Answer: Acute diarrhea comes on suddenly and lasts for five to 10 days, while chronic diarrhea persists for more than two weeks.
Question: What happens in the large intestine during diarrhea that contributes to the watery consistency of stools?
Answer: In diarrhea, the large intestine becomes inflamed, preventing the normal process of fluid removal from food, resulting in watery stools.
Question: What are the typical characteristics of stools during diarrhea?
Answer: Stools during diarrhea are watery and frequently passed.
Question: Name some common symptoms associated with diarrhea.
Answer: Symptoms of diarrhea include abdominal cramps, flatulence, weakness, nausea, vomiting, fever, headache, and loss of appetite.
Question: What potential complications can arise due to fluid loss during diarrhea?
Answer: Fluid loss during diarrhea can lead to dehydration and subsequent electrolyte loss, including sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), magnesium (Mg2+), and chloride (Cl-).
Question: What are common causes of acute diarrhea?
Answer: Acute diarrhea is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection, food poisoning or consumption of contaminated food or water, and it can also result as a side effect from some drugs.
Question: What conditions or factors may contribute to chronic diarrhea?
Answer: Chronic diarrhea may be a symptom of more serious conditions such as Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and it can also be caused by the use of laxatives or a poor diet.
Question: What is a primary recommendation for managing diarrhea without specific treatment?
Answer: Diarrhea often goes away after a few days without treatment.
Question: How is dehydration prevented in the treatment of diarrhea?
Answer: Drinking fluids, including rehydration drinks, is recommended to prevent dehydration.
Question: What type of foods are advisable to consume during and after diarrhea?
Answer: Eating foods high in carbohydrates is recommended during and after diarrhea.
Question: Name a common anti-diarrhea medicine used to manage diarrhea.
Answer: Loperamide is a common anti-diarrhea medicine.
Question: In addition to anti-diarrhea medicines, what other type of medication may be used to treat symptoms associated with diarrhea?
Answer: Painkillers may be used to treat symptoms such as fever or headache associated with diarrhea.
Question: What is the primary function of rehydration drinks in the context of managing diarrhea?
Answer: Rehydration drinks can replace lost electrolytes but do not treat the diarrhea itself.
Question: Provide examples of commercial rehydration products used for managing dehydration during diarrhea.
Answer: Commercial rehydration products include Dioralyte®.
Question: Is it possible to prepare rehydration drinks at home, and why might someone choose to do so?
Answer: Yes, it is possible to make ‘home-made’ rehydration preparations. Some individuals may choose to do this for various reasons, including availability or preference for homemade solutions.
Question: According to WHO recommendations, what is a ‘home-made’ rehydration solution?
Answer: According to WHO recommendations, a ‘home-made’ rehydration solution can be prepared by dissolving half a small spoon of salt and six level small spoons of sugar in one liter of water. Alternatively, lightly salted rice water is suggested.
Question: How is Dioralyte typically prepared for consumption?
Answer: Dioralyte is a powder for reconstitution, and the directions recommend dissolving one sachet in 200ml of fresh drinking water. It should be consumed after each loose motion.
Question: What are the main components of each Dioralyte sachet?
Answer: Each Dioralyte sachet contains:
- Sodium chloride: 470mg
- Potassium chloride: 300mg
- Disodium hydrogen citrate: 530mg
- Glucose: 3.56g
Question: What form does the antidiarrheal come in, and what is the recommended method of preparation?
Answer: The antidiarrheal comes in powder form for reconstitution. To prepare, one typically dissolves each sachet in water.
Question: What are the main components of each sachet of the antidiarrheal?
Answer: Each sachet of the antidiarrheal contains:
- Sodium chloride: 350mg
- Potassium chloride: 300mg
- Sodium citrate: 580mg
- Cooked rice powder: 6g
Question: When should individuals experiencing diarrhea consider seeking medical attention or referral?
Answer: Individuals experiencing the following warning symptoms during diarrhea should seek medical attention or referral:
- Presence of blood or mucous in motions (bright red is okay in small amounts)
- Signs of dehydration such as lethargy, headache, and dry mouth
- Diarrhea lasting for more than five days
Vomiting for more than one day - High fever
- Recent change in bowel habit or recent travel abroad
Question: Define constipation in terms of stool characteristics and frequency.
Answer: Constipation is characterized by the passage of hard stools (faeces) less frequently than the patient’s normal pattern.
Question: Besides infrequent bowel movements, what is another characteristic associated with constipation?
Answer: Constipation is also characterized by the inability to completely empty the bowel.
Question: What are some common symptoms associated with constipation?
Answer: Symptoms of constipation include:
- Change in stool frequency
- Stools can become unusually hard, lumpy, large, or small
- Stomach ache and cramps
- Feeling bloated, nauseous, loss of appetite
- Chronic problems, including hemorrhoids and fecal impaction
Question: What lifestyle factor is associated with constipation and involves inadequate intake of fiber and/or fluids?
Answer: Constipation can be associated with a poor diet, specifically a lack of fiber and/or fluids.
Question: How can a lack of mobility contribute to constipation?
Answer: Lack of mobility is a factor that can contribute to constipation.
Question: Which medications, when taken, may contribute to constipation?
Answer: Medications such as antidepressants, antiepileptics, and iron supplements may contribute to constipation.
Question: What physiological event related to reproduction can lead to constipation?
Answer: Constipation may occur during pregnancy.
Question: Name some medical conditions that are associated with constipation.
Answer: Medical conditions such as diabetes, Parkinson’s, and an underactive thyroid are associated with constipation.
Question: What lifestyle advice can be given for the treatment of constipation?
Answer: Lifestyle advice for treating constipation includes increasing fiber in the diet, adding bulking agents, increasing fluid intake, and enhancing daily exercise.
Question: Name some types of laxatives that may be used in the treatment of constipation.
Answer: Laxatives used in the treatment of constipation include stimulant laxatives, bulk-forming laxatives, and osmotic laxatives.
Question: What is the primary effect of stimulant laxatives on the intestines?
Answer: Stimulant laxatives increase intestinal motility.
Question: What is the typical onset of action for stimulant laxatives, and when are they usually administered?
Answer: The onset of action for stimulant laxatives is 8-12 hours, and they are usually administered at night.
Question: What are some potential side effects of stimulant laxatives?
Answer: Side effects of stimulant laxatives include abdominal cramps, excessive fluid loss, and electrolyte imbalance.
Question: Can you provide examples of stimulant laxatives?
Answer: Examples of stimulant laxatives include senna and bisacodyl.
Question: How do bulk-forming laxatives stimulate peristalsis, and what is their mode of action in relation to dietary fiber?
Answer: Bulk-forming laxatives stimulate peristalsis in a similar way to dietary fiber.
Question: What is the typical onset of action for bulk-forming laxatives?
Answer: The onset of action for bulk-forming laxatives is 24-36 hours.
Question: Why is it important to drink plenty of water when using bulk-forming laxatives?
Answer: It is important to drink plenty of water when using bulk-forming laxatives to avoid impaction.
Question: What are some potential side effects of bulk-forming laxatives?
Answer: Side effects of bulk-forming laxatives include flatulence and abdominal bloating.
Question: Can you provide examples of bulk-forming laxatives?
Answer: Examples of bulk-forming laxatives include bran and ispaghula husk.
Question: How do osmotic laxatives work in the bowel, and why is it important to drink plenty of fluids when using them?
Answer: Osmotic laxatives retain fluid in the bowel by osmosis, and it is important to drink plenty of fluids to support their effectiveness.
Question: What is the typical onset of action for osmotic laxatives?
Answer: The onset of action for osmotic laxatives is up to 3 days.
Question: What are some potential side effects of osmotic laxatives?
Answer: Side effects of osmotic laxatives include flatulence, abdominal pain, and colic.
Question: Can you provide examples of osmotic laxatives?
Answer: Examples of osmotic laxatives include lactulose and magnesium salts.
Question: When should individuals experiencing constipation consider seeking medical attention or referral?
Answer: Individuals experiencing constipation should seek medical attention or referral if they experience:
- Constipation alternating with diarrhea
- Presence of blood or mucous in motions (bright red is okay in small amounts)
- Unexplained weight loss
- Abuse of laxatives
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Angina
Question: What role do anal vascular cushions play in the maintenance of continence?
Answer: Anal vascular cushions assist the anal sphincter in maintaining continence.
Question: How would you define hemorrhoids in terms of their anatomy and function?
Answer: Hemorrhoids are defined as the abnormal swelling or enlargement of the anal vascular cushions.
Question: What is the prevalence of hemorrhoids in the population based on self-reporting?
Answer: The prevalence of hemorrhoids is reported to be between 13-36% of the population, and it’s worth noting that many anorectal symptoms are often wrongly attributed to hemorrhoids.
Question: What is a common symptom of hemorrhoids related to rectal bleeding, and how is it characterized?
Answer: A common symptom of hemorrhoids related to rectal bleeding is bright red rectal bleeding, where blood is seen on the surface of the stool and not mixed in.
Question: What is pruritus, and how is it related to hemorrhoids?
Answer: Pruritus, or itching, is a symptom of hemorrhoids due to chronic mucus discharge and irritation.
Question: How can impaired continence or mucus discharge manifest as a symptom of hemorrhoids?
Answer: Soiling is a symptom of hemorrhoids due to impaired continence or mucus discharge.
Question: What are some sensations or physical symptoms that individuals with hemorrhoids may experience?
Answer: Individuals with hemorrhoids may experience rectal fullness or an anal lump.
Question: What can happen to large prolapsed hemorrhoids, and how is it characterized?
Answer: Large prolapsed hemorrhoids can thrombose, leading to a very painful purple/blue, oedematous, tense, and tender perianal mass.
Question: What is a common cause of hemorrhoids related to excessive straining?
Answer: Excessive straining, often resulting from chronic constipation, is a common cause of hemorrhoids.
Question: How does increasing age contribute to the development of hemorrhoids?
Answer: Increasing age is a factor that can contribute to the development of hemorrhoids.
Question: Name some conditions or situations that can lead to raised intra-abdominal pressure and contribute to hemorrhoids.
Answer: Conditions or situations that can lead to raised intra-abdominal pressure and contribute to hemorrhoids include pregnancy, chronic cough, ascites, and less commonly, pelvic/abdominal masses, family history, cardiac failure, or portal hypertension.
Question: What is an important aspect of the treatment of hemorrhoids that should be addressed?
Answer: Treating constipation is an important aspect of the treatment of hemorrhoids.
Question: What role do creams, ointments, and suppositories play in the treatment of hemorrhoids?
Answer: Creams, ointments, and suppositories are used in the treatment of hemorrhoids to alleviate symptoms, but they do not cure the condition.
Question: What are some components commonly found in creams for hemorrhoid treatment?
Answer: Creams for hemorrhoid treatment may contain local anesthetic, astringent, and barrier cream.
Question: What is the typical duration of short-term treatment for hemorrhoids using creams, ointments, and suppositories?
Answer: Short-term treatment with creams, ointments, and suppositories usually lasts for 5-7 days.
