Chronic diarrhea history and symptoms: Difference between revisions
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
The hallmark of chronic diarrhea is loose stools lasting for 4 weeks or more. A positive history of foul smelling stools that are difficult to flush, bloody loose bowel movement, and crampy abdominal pain are suggestive of chronic diarrhea. The most common symptoms of chronic diarrhea include crampy abdominal pain, elevation in body temperature, and increased frequency of bowel movemnets. | The hallmark of chronic diarrhea is loose stools lasting for 4 weeks or more. A positive history of foul smelling stools that are difficult to flush, bloody loose bowel movement, and crampy [[abdominal pain]] are suggestive of chronic diarrhea. The most common symptoms of chronic diarrhea include crampy [[abdominal pain]], [[Body temperature|elevation in body temperature]], and increased frequency of [[Diarrhea (patient information)|bowel movemnets]]. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
Obtaining the history is the most important aspect of making a diagnosis of chronic diarrhea. It provides insight into cause, precipitating factors and associated comorbid conditions. Complete history will help determine the correct therapy and helps in determining the prognosis. Specific histories about the symptoms (duration, onset, progression), associated symptoms, drug usage have to be obtained. Specific areas of focus when obtaining the history, are outlined below:<ref name="pmid16632945">{{cite journal| author=Kleinman RE| title=Chronic nonspecific diarrhea of childhood. | journal=Nestle Nutr Workshop Ser Pediatr Program | year= 2005 | volume= 56 | issue= | pages= 73-9; discussion 79-84 | pmid=16632945 | doi=10.1159/000086276 | pmc= | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=16632945 }} </ref><ref name="pmid1634072">{{cite journal| author=Eherer AJ, Fordtran JS| title=Fecal osmotic gap and pH in experimental diarrhea of various causes. | journal=Gastroenterology | year= 1992 | volume= 103 | issue= 2 | pages= 545-51 | pmid=1634072 | doi= | pmc= | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=1634072 }} </ref> | Obtaining the history is the most important aspect of making a diagnosis of chronic diarrhea. It provides insight into [[Causes|cause]], precipitating factors and associated [[Comorbidities|comorbid conditions]]. Complete [[History & Symptoms|history]] will help determine the correct [[therapy]] and helps in determining the [[prognosis]]. Specific histories about the [[symptoms]] (duration, onset, progression), associated symptoms, [[drug]] usage have to be obtained. Specific areas of focus when obtaining the [[History & Symptoms|history]], are outlined below:<ref name="pmid16632945">{{cite journal| author=Kleinman RE| title=Chronic nonspecific diarrhea of childhood. | journal=Nestle Nutr Workshop Ser Pediatr Program | year= 2005 | volume= 56 | issue= | pages= 73-9; discussion 79-84 | pmid=16632945 | doi=10.1159/000086276 | pmc= | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=16632945 }} </ref><ref name="pmid1634072">{{cite journal| author=Eherer AJ, Fordtran JS| title=Fecal osmotic gap and pH in experimental diarrhea of various causes. | journal=Gastroenterology | year= 1992 | volume= 103 | issue= 2 | pages= 545-51 | pmid=1634072 | doi= | pmc= | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=1634072 }} </ref> | ||
* Age and gender | * [[Age]] and gender | ||
*Onset, duration, progression, pattern and timing of symptoms | *Onset, duration, progression, pattern and timing of symptoms | ||
*Associated symptoms(lethargy, fever, confusion) | *Associated symptoms([[lethargy]], [[fever]], [[confusion]]) | ||
*Current medications | *Current [[medications]] | ||
*Association with food and fasting states | *Association with [[food]] and fasting states | ||
*Symptoms of other organ failure (renal failure, liver failure, adrenal failure) | *Symptoms of other [[organ failure]] ([[renal failure]], [[liver failure]], [[adrenal failure]]) | ||
*Ingestion of poisons or chemicals | *Ingestion of [[poisons]] or [[chemicals]] | ||
*Co-morbid conditions like diabetes, immunodeficiency | *[[Comorbidities|Co-morbid conditions]] like [[diabetes]], [[immunodeficiency]] | ||
*Severe infections | *Severe infections | ||
*Any alterations in sensorium as a result of dehydration | *Any [[Altered mental state|alterations in sensorium]] as a result of [[dehydration]] | ||
*Family history | *[[Family history]] | ||
== Symptoms == | == Symptoms == | ||
Associated symptoms can provide clues as to the cause of chronic diarrhea. | Associated [[symptoms]] can provide clues as to the cause of chronic diarrhea. | ||
*Confusion or agitation | *[[Confusion]] or [[agitation]] | ||
* | *[[Altered mental status]] | ||
*Disorientation | *[[Disorientation]] | ||
*Abdominal guarding | *[[Abdominal guarding]] | ||
*Difficulty speaking | *Difficulty speaking | ||
*Stupor or coma | *[[Stupor]] or [[coma]] | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 15:52, 24 July 2017
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Chronic diarrhea Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Omodamola Aje B.Sc, M.D. [2]
Overview
The hallmark of chronic diarrhea is loose stools lasting for 4 weeks or more. A positive history of foul smelling stools that are difficult to flush, bloody loose bowel movement, and crampy abdominal pain are suggestive of chronic diarrhea. The most common symptoms of chronic diarrhea include crampy abdominal pain, elevation in body temperature, and increased frequency of bowel movemnets.
History
Obtaining the history is the most important aspect of making a diagnosis of chronic diarrhea. It provides insight into cause, precipitating factors and associated comorbid conditions. Complete history will help determine the correct therapy and helps in determining the prognosis. Specific histories about the symptoms (duration, onset, progression), associated symptoms, drug usage have to be obtained. Specific areas of focus when obtaining the history, are outlined below:[1][2]
- Age and gender
- Onset, duration, progression, pattern and timing of symptoms
- Associated symptoms(lethargy, fever, confusion)
- Current medications
- Association with food and fasting states
- Symptoms of other organ failure (renal failure, liver failure, adrenal failure)
- Ingestion of poisons or chemicals
- Co-morbid conditions like diabetes, immunodeficiency
- Severe infections
- Any alterations in sensorium as a result of dehydration
- Family history
Symptoms
Associated symptoms can provide clues as to the cause of chronic diarrhea.
- Confusion or agitation
- Altered mental status
- Disorientation
- Abdominal guarding
- Difficulty speaking
- Stupor or coma
References
- ↑ Kleinman RE (2005). "Chronic nonspecific diarrhea of childhood". Nestle Nutr Workshop Ser Pediatr Program. 56: 73–9, discussion 79-84. doi:10.1159/000086276. PMID 16632945.
- ↑ Eherer AJ, Fordtran JS (1992). "Fecal osmotic gap and pH in experimental diarrhea of various causes". Gastroenterology. 103 (2): 545–51. PMID 1634072.