General measures Watch for warning signs of dehydration (lack of fluids; see “Symptoms – Complaints” for details). Sufficient fluid intake! Observance of general hygiene measures! In the occurrence of fever: Bed rest and physical rest (even with only a slight fever). Fever below 38.5 °C does not necessarily need to be treated! (Exceptions: Children prone … Diarrhea: Therapy
Medical history (history of illness) represents an important component in the diagnosis of diarrhea (diarrhea). Family history What is the general health of your family members? Are there any diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in your family that are common? Are there any hereditary diseases in your family? Social history What is your profession? Are … Diarrhea: Medical History
Congenital malformations, deformities, and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99). Abetalipoproteinemia (synonym: homozygous familial hypobetalipoproteinemia, ABL/HoFHBL) – genetic disorder with autosomal recessive inheritance; severe form of familial hypobetalipoproteinemia characterized by deficiency of apolipoprotein B48 and B100; defect in the formation of chylomicrons leading to fat digestion disorders in children, resulting in malabsorption (disorder of food absorption). Congenital ion … Diarrhea: Or something else? Differential Diagnosis
The following are the most important diseases or complications that may be contributed to by diarrhea (diarrhea): Endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases (E00-E90). Electrolyte losses Malnutrition Volume deficiency Infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99). Spread of infection to other organs. Mouth, esophagus (food pipe), stomach, and intestines (K00-K67; K90-K93). Chronic diarrhea (diarrhea). Dysbiosis (imbalance of the … Diarrhea: Complications
A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps: General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, body temperature, body weight, body height; furthermore: Inspection (viewing). Skin, mucous membranes, and sclerae (white part of the eye) [skin changes such as circumscribed redness; exsiccosis (dehydration)] Abdomen (abdomen) Shape of the abdomen? Skin color? … Diarrhea: Examination
Laboratory parameters 1st order – obligatory laboratory tests [see below for indications for pathogen diagnostics]. Stool examinations Stool culture: stool for common pathogens (Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella, Yersinia), Clostridium difficile, pathogenic E. coli (EHEC, EPEC), Listeria (in neonates), Staphylococcus aureus, sprout fungiIndications: see below. Antigen detection (parasites, viruses, toxins): adenovirus and rotavirus antigen detection, detection of … Diarrhea: Test and Diagnosis
Therapeutic targets Rehydration (fluid balance). Elimination of pathogens, if necessary Stool regulation Therapy recommendations Symptomatic therapy including fluid replacement – oral rehydration for signs of dehydration (fluid deficiency; >3% weight loss): administration of oral rehydration solutions (ORL), which should be hypotonic, between meals (“tea breaks”) for mild to moderate dehydration. In children, intravenous rehydration is … Diarrhea: Drug Therapy
Optional medical device diagnostics (in chronic diarrhea) – depending on the results of history, physical examination, laboratory diagnostics, and obligatory medical device diagnostics – for differential diagnostic workup Abdominal sonography (ultrasound examination of abdominal organs) – for basic diagnostics. Colonoscopy (colonoscopy) – especially in cases of suspected secretory, inflammatory diarrhea or steatorrhea (fatty stools); with … Diarrhea: Diagnostic Tests
A deficiency symptom may indicate that there is an insufficient supply of vital nutrients. The complaint infectious and noninfectious diarrhea and gastroenteritis, probably infectious and noninfectious origin indicates a deficiency of vital nutrients for: Vitamin B3 Vitamin B6 Potassium Magnesium Sodium chloride Selenium A deficiency symptom may indicate that there is an insufficient supply of … Diarrhea: Micronutrient Therapy
To prevent diarrhea (diarrhea), attention must be paid to reducing individual risk factors. Behavioral risk factors Diet Micronutrient deficiency (vital substances) – see Prevention with micronutrients. Consumption of stimulants Alcohol (woman: > 40 g/day; man: > 60 g/day). Psycho-social situation Acute and chronic stress Laxative dependence – medications such as bisacodyl. Environmental exposure – intoxications … Diarrhea: Prevention
Diarrhea is usually foul-smelling, watery or mushy in consistency, may also be greasy oily, and may contain admixtures of blood. Other complaints that often accompany diarrhea (diarrhea) are: Anorexia (loss of appetite). Nausea (nausea) Vomiting Meteorism (flatulence) Abdominal pain, dull or colicky Fever Weight loss Desiccosis (dehydration) Skin changes such as circumscribed skin redness Headache … Diarrhea: Symptoms, Complaints, Signs
Pathogenesis (development of disease) Diarrhea is said to occur when stool frequency is more than three times per day or stool weight is more than 200 g per day. Stool consistency is decreased. The cause is often bacterial infections, but there are also a variety of different diseases (see below) that can also have diarrhea … Diarrhea: Causes
