Diarrhoea is an intestinal disorder
characterized by abnormal fluidity and frequency of fecal evacuations,
generally the result of increased motility in the colon. The loss of
fluids through diarrhea can cause severe dehydration which is one cause
of death in diarrhea sufferers.
Acute Diarrhoea
It is an extremely common presenting complaint. It is usually is due to
faeco-oral transmission of micro-organisms.
Causes:
1.Infection-
a.Infective food poisoning- Rotavirus gastroenteritis.
- Shigella
- Cholera
- Salmonella
b.Protozoal
- Giardiasis
- Amoebic dysentery
c.Toxin
mediated
- Bacillius
- Staphyloccocus
d.Systemic
- Sepsis
- Malaria
2.Non- Infection-
a.Gastro-intestinal Disorder - Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.
- Acute Diverticulitis
- Pelvic Inflammatory disease.
b.Metabolic
upset
- Ketosis
- Uraemia
c.Drugs and Toxins
Chronic or Relapsing Diarrhoea
It can be present with increased frequency of defecation and loose,
watery or pellety stools. Diarrhoea rarely occurs in night and usually
aggravated before and after breakfast. The stool is often contains
mucus but never blood, and 24-hours stool volume is less than 200g.
Investigations:
1.Blood Count- Hb, TLC, DLC, ESR.
2.Stool examination- to detect presence of any infective agent.
3.Ultrasound to detect any pathology.
4.Barium meal
5.Colonoscopy
6.CT-scan and MRCP
Complication:
The most common complication of diarrhoea is dehydration. The level of
dehydration needs to be judged to find out the severity of the
condition. Levels of dehydration can be judged considering the status
of certain features, which are described in the below table.