Chronic diarrhea natural history, complications and prognosis: Difference between revisions
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
The natural history of chronic diarrhea is watery or bloody or fatty stools for more than 4 weeks duration. Depending on the underlying cause, chronic or severe diarrhea can lead to potentially serious complications some of which include but are not limited to dehydration and malnutrition. The prognosis of chronic diarrhea is good especially when the underlying cause is identified early and treated. | The natural history of chronic diarrhea is [[Watery diarrhea|watery]] or [[Bloody diarrhea|bloody]] or [[Steatorrhea|fatty stools]] for more than 4 weeks duration. Depending on the underlying cause, chronic or severe diarrhea can lead to potentially serious complications some of which include but are not limited to [[dehydration]] and [[malnutrition]]. The prognosis of chronic diarrhea is good especially when the underlying cause is identified early and treated. | ||
===Natural History=== | ===Natural History=== | ||
The natural history of chronic diarrhea is watery or bloody or fatty stools for more than 4 weeks duration associated with any of the following; | The natural history of chronic diarrhea is [[Watery diarrhea|watery]] or [[Bloody diarrhea|bloody]] or [[fatty stools]] for more than 4 weeks duration associated with any of the following; | ||
*Greasy stools that float and are malodorous may suggest fat malabsorption, while the presence of visible blood may suggest IBD. | *Greasy stools that float and are malodorous may suggest fat malabsorption, while the presence of visible blood may suggest [[Inflammatory bowel disease|IBD.]] | ||
*Travel history. | *Travel history. | ||
*Risk factors for HIV infection. | *Risk factors for [[HIV]] infection. | ||
*Weight loss. | *Weight loss. | ||
*Fecal incontinence (which may be confused with diarrhea). | *Fecal incontinence (which may be confused with diarrhea). | ||
*Occurrence of diarrhea during fasting or at night (suggesting a secretory diarrhea). | *Occurrence of diarrhea during fasting or at night (suggesting a secretory diarrhea). | ||
*Family history of IBD. | *Family history of [[Inflammatory bowel disease|IBD]]. | ||
*Voluminous watery diarrhea due to disorders of the colon. | *Voluminous [[watery diarrhea]] due to disorders of the colon. | ||
*Bloody diarrhea. | *[[Bloody diarrhea]]. | ||
*Presence of systemic symptoms, which may indicate IBD (such as fevers, joint pains, mouth ulcers, eye redness). | *Presence of systemic symptoms, which may indicate [[IBD]] (such as [[fevers]], joint pains, [[mouth ulcers]], eye redness). | ||
*Use of medications (including over-the-counter drugs and supplements) (See Causes section) | *Use of medications (including over-the-counter drugs and supplements) (See Causes section) | ||
*Use of | *Use of [[Sorbitol|sorbito]]<nowiki/>l-containing products and use of [[alcohol]]. | ||
*Association of stress and depression with onset and severity of the diarrhea. | *Association of stress and [[depression]] with onset and severity of the diarrhea. | ||
*Association of symptoms with specific food ingestion (such as dairy products or potential food allergens). | *Association of symptoms with specific food ingestion (such as dairy products or potential food [[allergens]]). | ||
*A sexual history (anal intercourse is a risk factor for infectious proctitis and promiscuous sexual activity is a risk factor associated with HIV infection). | *A sexual history (anal intercourse is a risk factor for infectious [[proctitis]] and promiscuous sexual activity is a risk factor associated with [[HIV]] infection). | ||
*A history of recurrent bacterial infections (eg, sinusitis, pneumonia),suggesting a primary immunoglobulin deficiency. | *A history of recurrent bacterial infections (eg, [[sinusitis]], [[pneumonia]]),suggesting a primary [[immunoglobulin]] deficiency. | ||
===Complications=== | ===Complications=== | ||
Revision as of 20:23, 21 June 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 natural history of chronic diarrhea is watery or bloody or fatty stools for more than 4 weeks duration. Depending on the underlying cause, chronic or severe diarrhea can lead to potentially serious complications some of which include but are not limited to dehydration and malnutrition. The prognosis of chronic diarrhea is good especially when the underlying cause is identified early and treated.
Natural History
The natural history of chronic diarrhea is watery or bloody or fatty stools for more than 4 weeks duration associated with any of the following;
- Greasy stools that float and are malodorous may suggest fat malabsorption, while the presence of visible blood may suggest IBD.
- Travel history.
- Risk factors for HIV infection.
- Weight loss.
- Fecal incontinence (which may be confused with diarrhea).
- Occurrence of diarrhea during fasting or at night (suggesting a secretory diarrhea).
- Family history of IBD.
- Voluminous watery diarrhea due to disorders of the colon.
- Bloody diarrhea.
- Presence of systemic symptoms, which may indicate IBD (such as fevers, joint pains, mouth ulcers, eye redness).
- Use of medications (including over-the-counter drugs and supplements) (See Causes section)
- Use of sorbitol-containing products and use of alcohol.
- Association of stress and depression with onset and severity of the diarrhea.
- Association of symptoms with specific food ingestion (such as dairy products or potential food allergens).
- A sexual history (anal intercourse is a risk factor for infectious proctitis and promiscuous sexual activity is a risk factor associated with HIV infection).
- A history of recurrent bacterial infections (eg, sinusitis, pneumonia),suggesting a primary immunoglobulin deficiency.
Complications
Depending on the underlying cause, chronic or severe diarrhea can lead to potentially serious complications some of which include but are not limited to dehydration and malnutrition. It is important to keep patients hydrated by taking fluids. patients who are unable to tolerate fluids orally should be given fluids into a vein (IV) to replace the fluids and electrolytes (salts) lost in diarrhea.
Prognosis
The prognosis of chronic diarrhea is good especially when the underlying cause is identified early and treated.