Chronic diarrhea pathophysiology: Difference between revisions
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However, from a pathophysiologic perspective, no single cause of diarrhea is truly unifactorial. | However, from a pathophysiologic perspective, no single cause of diarrhea is truly unifactorial. | ||
===Pathogenesis=== | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 16:57, 5 June 2017
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Chronic diarrhea Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Omodamola Aje B.Sc, M.D. [2]
Overview
Pathophysiology
The fundamental pathophysiology of all diarrhea is incomplete absorption of water from the lumen either because of a reduced rate of net water absorption (related to impaired electrolyte absorption or excessive electrolyte secretion) or because of osmotic retention of water intraluminally. Reduction of net water absorption by as little as 1% may be sufficient to cause diarrhea This is why a lot of conditions are associated with the development of diarrhea.[1]
Thus, diarrhea is a condition of altered intestinal water and electrolyte transport. The pathophysiologic mechanisms of diarrhea include osmotic, secretory, inflammatory, and altered motility.
- Osmotic diarrhea involves an unabsorbed substance that draws water from the plasma into the intestinal lumen along osmotic gradients.
- Secretory diarrhea results from disordered electrolyte transport and, despite the term, is more commonly caused by decreased absorption rather than net secretion.
- Inflammatory diseases cause diarrhea with exudative, secretory, or osmotic components.
- Altered motility of the intestine or colon may alter fluid absorption by increasing or decreasing the exposure of luminal content to intestinal absorptive surface.
However, from a pathophysiologic perspective, no single cause of diarrhea is truly unifactorial.
Pathogenesis
References
- ↑ Sweetser S (2012). "Evaluating the patient with diarrhea: a case-based approach". Mayo Clin Proc. 87 (6): 596–602. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2012.02.015. PMC 3538472. PMID 22677080.