Causes of Acute and Chronic Diarrhea

Question 1

What is diarrhea?

Answer 1

A decrese in stool consistency from water, fat (steatorrhea) or inflammatory discharge

Question 2

What is acute diarrhea?

Answer 2

Diarrhea that lasts less than 2 weeks

Question 3

What is chronic diarrhea?

Answer 3

Diarrhea that lasts longer than 2 weeks

Question 4

What should you suspect if a patient comes with acute diarrhea?

Answer 4

Gastroenteritis

Question 5

List some risk factors for acute diarrhea

Answer 5

HIV
Change in diet
Travel
Achlorhydria (Pernicious Anemia)
Acid Suppressants
Contact with person with diarrhea and vomiting

Question 6

What does chronic diarrhea alternating with bowel constipation suggest?

Answer 6

Irritable Bowel Disease

Question 7

List 5 of the most common causes of Diarrhea

Answer 7

Gastroenteritis
Parasites/Protozoa
Inflammatory Bowel disease
Colorectal Caner
Crohn's , Ulcerative Colitis, Coeliac

Question 8

List 4 drugs that can cause Diarrhea

Answer 8

PPI
NSAIDs
Laxative (excess)
Antibiotics (cause overgrowth of bowel organisms)

Question 9

Viruses, Bacteria and Giardia all can cause Diarrhea.

List which viruses are more likely to cause diarrhea.

Answer 9

Norvovirus, HIV, adenovirus, rotavirus

Question 10

Viruses, Bacteria and Giardia all can cause Diarrhea.

List which bacteria are more likely to cause diarrhea.

Answer 10

S.Typhi, Shigella, Campylobacter, C.Difficile