Link to this page

Your search term(s) "Diarrhea" returned 62 results.

Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7    Display All

Diarrhea. IN: Nilsson, K.R.; Piccini, J.P., eds. Osler Medical Handbook. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders. 2006. pp. 456-466.

Diarrhea is defined as a change in bowel habits with abnormally loose stools, usually associated with an excessive frequency of defecation and more than 200 grams of stool per day. This chapter on diarrhea is from a handbook that provides the essentials of diagnosis and treatment, as well as the latest in evidence-based medicine, for residents working bedside, in-patient care. The chapter begins with a presentation of essential Fast Facts and concludes with Pearls and Pitfalls useful to the practicing internist. The body of the chapter is divided into sections: Epidemiology, Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis, and Management. Specific topics covered in this chapter include the mechanisms through which diarrhea can develop, including decreased rate of intestinal nutrient and salt absorption, net electrolyte secretion, rapid intestinal transit, and the ingestion of poorly absorbable substances; the classification of diarrhea as acute or chronic; the causes of and treatments for acute diarrhea; the causes of chronic diarrhea and its classification into watery, inflammatory, or dry types; and the differences between secretory and osmotic watery diarrhea. The chapter concludes with a list of references, each labeled with a 'strength of evidence' grade to help readers determine the type of research available in that reference source. 2 figures. 3 tables. 22 references.

Full Record   Printer Friendly Version

Functional Bowel Disorders. IN: Drossman, D.A., ed. Rome III: The Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders. 3rd ed. McLean, VA: Degnon Associates, Inc. 2006. pp. 487-555.

This chapter on functional bowel disorders is from a lengthy reference book that presents the Rome III criteria for functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), a classification system based on the assumption and premise that for each disorder there are identifiable symptom clusters that emerge across clinical and population groups. The authors of this chapter define functional bowel disorders as FGIDs with symptoms attributable to the middle or lower gastrointestinal tract. These disorders include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional bloating, functional constipation, functional diarrhea, and unspecified functional bowel disorder. In each of these categories, the authors provide a definition and discuss epidemiology, symptoms, nomenclature and classification, clinical evaluation, physiological features, and treatment strategies. Specific topics include gastrointestinal motor disturbances, visceral hypersensitivity, postinfectious IBS, history of physical or sexual abuse, food intolerance, drug therapy, measurements of colonic transit, fiber supplementation and bulk laxatives, osmotic laxatives, and unspecified functional bowel disorder. The chapter concludes with a list of recommendations for future research in functional bowel disorders. 4 tables. 464 references.

Full Record   Printer Friendly Version

Guidelines for Prevention, Surveillance, Diagnosis and Treatment in the New Era of More Virulent Strains of Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea (AAD), Clostridium Difficile-Associated Disease [or] Diarrhea (CDAD) and Clostridium Difficile Colitis (CDAC). Practical Gastroenterology. 30(6): 65-82. June 2006.

Clostridium difficile-associated diseases, which usually affected hospital patients, are now becoming more prevalent in cases of relatively healthy adults, some of whom have not even been hospitalized. This article describes the methods of prevention, early diagnosis, and prompt aggressive treatment which are critical in managing Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) and colitis (CDAC). The authors stress that a very important method of controlling outbreaks of C. difficile-associated disease must be interventions on the prevention and use of antimicrobial agents implicated as risk factors for the disease. After reviewing the relevant research, the authors describe ten recommendations for managing CDAD and CDAC, particularly in the health care setting. The recommendations are in the areas of minimizing all antibiotics, avoidance of high-risk antibiotics, strict patient care and quarantine, and having a high index of suspicion for CDAD in patients who develop diarrhea, especially after gastrointestinal surgery. These interventions have been shown to be cost-effective and successful in improving antibiotic prescribing to hospital inpatients, and have also been shown to reduce antimicrobial resistance and hospital-acquired infections. 62 references.

Full Record   Printer Friendly Version

Nutrition Strategies for Managing Diarrhea. Digestive Health Matters. 15(2): 6-7. Summer 2006.

Persistent or recurring diarrhea is a symptom of many different digestive disorders. This article presents nutrition strategies that may be useful for readers coping with mild, short-term diarrhea. Readers are advised to consult a physician to obtain a diagnosis and specific treatment for more serious diarrhea. The author discusses the role of diet, certain foods that may produce loose stools, dietary supplements that can worsen symptoms, and foods and supplements that may help to control diarrhea. Each section lists specific foods and supplements. The author concludes by summarizing the general recommendations: identify foods and fluids that cause problems for the individual, drink adequate fluids apart from meal times, include foods with sodium and potassium, and eat less and more often.

Full Record   Printer Friendly Version

Viral Gastroenteritis. Bethesda, MD: National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. 2006. 4 p.

Viral gastroenteritis is an intestinal infection that can be caused by several viruses. Viral gastroenteritis is highly contagious and causes millions of cases of watery diarrhea each year. Most people recover from viral gastroenteritis without any complications. However, dehydration can be a problem for people who cannot drink enough fluids to replace what is lost through vomiting and diarrhea. This fact sheet describes viral gastroenteritis and its management, addressing the symptoms of this illness; the causes of gastroenteritis, which can include rotaviruses, adenoviruses, caliciviruses, and astroviruses; risk factors and transmission of these viruses; diagnosis, which is usually based on a physical examination and the patient’s symptoms, but may involve a stool test as well; and treatment strategies, which focus on reducing symptoms and preventing dehydration. Transmission is usually through unwashed hands, close contact with an infected person, or food and beverages that contain the virus. The symptoms of dehydration are excessive thirst, dry mouth, dark yellow urine or scant urine, decreased tears, severe weakness or lethargy, and dizziness or lightheadedness. Infants, young children, the elderly, and people with weak immune systems have a higher risk of developing dehydration due to vomiting and diarrhea. Prevention is the only way to avoid viral gastroenteritis. A final section refers readers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov or 1–800–311–3435 and describes the goals and activities of the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. 1 figure.

Full Record   Printer Friendly Version

Celiac Disease in Children with Diarrhea Is More Frequent Than Previously Suspected. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. 40(3): 309-311. March 2005.

Celiac disease (CD, characterized by gluten intolerance) may be missed or diagnosed late in children with chronic diarrhea. This article reports on a study that estimated the frequency of CD among pediatric patients with chronic diarrhea based on serologic and pathologic examinations. During a 6-year period, all patients with chronic diarrhea of more than 6 weeks referred to the authors' clinic were included (n = 825); a control group of 825 patients was also enrolled in the study. CD was diagnosed in 54 (6.5 percent) of the diarrhea patients and in 7 (0.8 percent) of the controls. After 6 months of a gluten-free diet, 48 (88.8 percent) patients had significant improvement in symptoms and, of these, 41 (76.1 percent) were totally asymptomatic. Repeat endoscopy was performed in 42 patients after 6 months of the gluten-free diet and 40 (95.2 percent) showed improvement in histologic findings. The authors conclude that routine testing for CD may be indicated in all patients being evaluated for chronic diarrhea. 15 references.

Full Record   Printer Friendly Version

Managing Diarrhea. Digestive Health Matters. 14(3): 14-15. Fall 2005.

This article describes strategies that can be used to manage diarrhea, defined as the too frequent and often urgent passage of loose stools. The author notes that symptoms of anything more than mild, short-term diarrhea should be brought to the attention of a health care provider. Sometimes diagnosis is impossible or delayed, there is persistent diarrhea during or despite specific treatment, or the patient has intermittent diarrhea as part of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The author describes how to manage the symptom of diarrhea until the underlying disease is brought under control. Topics included are the signs of dehydration; the importance of rehydration; diet causes and treatments; the use of a bulking agent (psyllium); the use of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs including bismuth, codeine, and loperamide; the use of prescription drugs including codeine phosphate, diphyenoxylate, and cholestyramine; and guidelines for using the drugs. The author concludes by cautioning readers not to ignore diarrhea and concomitant hydration. 2 references.

Full Record   Printer Friendly Version

Medication for Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Toronto, Canada: Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada. 8 p.

This brochure reviews some of the medications that may be used for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. After an introductory section that briefly summarizes these diseases, the booklet describes medications used to reduce inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract; medications used to reduce symptoms of the disease, such as diarrhea and cramps; and medications used to treat complications. Specific drugs discussed include sulfasalazine; 5-aminosalicylate, also known as mesalamine, mesalazine, and olsalazine; glucocorticosteroids, including prednisone, hydrocortisone, betamethasone, tixocortol, and budensonide; immunosuppressive agents, including azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine, methotrexate, and cyclosporine A; antibiotics, including metronidazole, ciprofloxacin, ampicillin, cefazolin, gentamicin, and tobramycin; new biological therapies, including infliximab; antidiarrheal drugs, including Loperamide, codeine, diphenoxylate, tincture of opium, and paregoric; bulk-formers, primarily natural fiber sources; bile salt binders, i.e., cholestyramine, used for Crohn’s disease only; and nicotine, which is sometimes used for ulcerative colitis. For each drug, the brochure notes synonyms, how the drug is prescribed, how it works, possible side effects, and the different forms, if any, the drug comes in. The remainder of the article considers medications for other symptoms and problems, complications of IBD that may require therapy, alternative therapies, and conventional therapies. The contact information and mission of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada are noted. A form to join the organization or contribute money to its causes is included. 1 figure.

Full Record   Printer Friendly Version

What I Need to Know About Diarrhea. Bethesda, MD: National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, 2005. 19 p.

Diarrhea is a change in the bowel movements where the person passes unusually loose stools. This brochure explains diarrhea, its causes, and how it can be managed. Written in nontechnical language, the brochure covers a definition of diarrhea, other symptoms that accompany diarrhea, the risk factors and causes of diarrhea, traveler's diarrhea, how to know when to consult a health care provider, diagnostic tests to confirm the condition or determine the cause of the problem, and treatment options. Diarrhea is caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, some foods or medicines, or diseases that affect the digestive system. Diarrhea becomes dangerous when the person becomes dehydrated, so the main treatment for diarrhea is replacing lost fluids. A health care provider should be called about strong pain in the abdomen or rectum, a fever, blood in the stool, signs of dehydration, or severe fever for more than 3 days (1 day in children). The booklet includes a summary of the information provided, a list of resources where readers can get more information, and a list of acknowledgements. A final section briefly describes the goals and work of the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC). The brochure is illustrated with line drawings designed to clarify the concepts discussed in the text. 12 figures.

Full Record   Printer Friendly Version

Diet and Diarrhea. Ostomy Quarterly. 41(2): 52. Winter 2004.

The ileoanal reservoir procedure is common for patients who must have their colon removed. The reservoir (pouch) is formed from the small intestine and provides a storage place for stool in the absence of the colon. With the colon gone, large quantities of fluid are lost with the stool. Bowel movements may be ten or more times a day. This brief article helps readers with ileoanal pouches to understand how dietary changes may help them decrease the number of bowel movements they experience each day. Some of the foods reported to help slow pouch output are yogurt, applesauce, tapioca, bananas, potatoes without the skin, and cheese. The author discusses the causes of diarrhea, the importance of replacing fluid and electrolytes lost during diarrhea, concerns about sugar consumption, the use of oral rehydration solutions, dietary fiber, potassium-rich foods, and experimenting with one's own diet (including the use of a food diary for accurate recordkeeping).

Full Record   Printer Friendly Version

Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7    Display All

Start a new search.