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    What are the acute and chronic causes of diarrhoea, and what are the investigations required?

    Chronic Conditions
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      Kamal last edited by

      Hello, What are the acute and chronic causes of diarrhoea, and what are the investigations required? For last 7 days I am suffering from diarrhoea. Is it normal? Please help me.

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        Litti @Kamal last edited by

        @kamal Acute diarrhea is defined as the abrupt onset of 3 or more loose stools per day and lasts no longer than 14 days; chronic or persistent diarrhea is defined as an episode that lasts longer than 14 days. Causes
        Infectious - Gastroenteritis, Antibiotic associated colitis, Giardia, amoebiasis (bloody stools)
        Inflammatory - Ulcerative colitis (bloody), Crohn's disease
        Functional - Irritable bowel syndrome, Laxative abuse
        Osmotic - related to oral intake of unabsorbed sugars
        Drug induced - laxatives, colchicine, PPIs
        Malabsorption - Coeliac disease, Crohn's disease
        Neoplastic - colorectal (bloody), rectal villous adenoma (mucus)
        Investigations required
        Assess stool with Bristol stool scale
        Stool microscopy and culture
        Clostridium difficile toxin
        Check U&E for dehydration. In children consider Haemolytic uraemic syndrome with certain E coli
        FBC - elevated WCC, Anaemia - Microcytic suggests possibly a colonic malignancy or inflammatory
        bowel disease. Macrocytosis may suggest malabsorption. Dimorphic may suggest both. LFTS - elevated ALP and Bilirubin with obstruction may cause steatorhoea

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