Chronic diarrhea overview

Chronic diarrhea Microchapters
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Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Chronic diarrhea from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Electrocardiogram
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Treatment
Medical Therapy
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Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Omodamola Aje B.Sc, M.D. [2]

Overview

Chronic diarrhea is a common symptom of many conditions with an estimated prevalence of 5%. Although chronic diarrhea has multiple definitions, a current working definition is the production of loose stools for longer than 4 weeks’ duration. Frequent defecation with normal consistency is termed psuedodiarrhea.

Differentiating Chronic Diarrhea fron other Conditions

The Rome IV criteria differentiates chronic diarrhea based on the functional, organic and inflammatory etiologies;

• The functional category includes irritable bowel syndrome (IBS),when abdominal pain accompanies the diarrhea
• The organic diarrhea is when abdominal pain is absent
• The inflammatory diarhhea is when significant abdominal pain,fever, or GI bleeding is present.
• The malsbsorption diarrhea is when gas, bloating and substantial weight loss suggests malabsorption