Diarrhea
Alternative names:
frequent bowel movements; loose bowel movements; stools, watery; the runs
Definition:
The frequent passage of unformed watery stools.
Considerations:
The majority of diarrheal disease results from enteric infection and is generally a short lived self-limiting condition. Common forms of diarrhea are grouped under terms such as "stomach flu" and gastroenteritis. These conditions may include vomiting, and often appear in mini-epidemics in schools, neighborhoods or families. Quite often parents and local physicians are aware the stomach flu is "going around".
Most diarrhea will stop without treatment in a few days. Certain drugs can cause or worsen diarrhea.
Common causes:
Diarrheal diseases can be grouped into several general categories.
INFECTIOUS - viruses
- rotavirus
- cytomegalovirus (CMV)
- adenovirus
- echovirus
- HIV virus (see HIV disease)
- bacteria
- shigella
- salmonella
- cholera
- E. coli
- Staphylococcus aureus
- parasites
- Giardia Lamblia
- Cryptosporidium parvum
- Balantidium coli
- occasionally roundworm (ascariasis) or tapeworm (cestodiasis) infestation
- funguses
- Candida albicans (seen in immunocompromised individuals)
TOXIC
Often referred to as "food poisoning" Toxins may be produced in foods as bacteria grow. These toxins are responsible for the associated vomiting and diarrhea. The most common toxin is an enterotoxin produced by staphylococcus species.
MALABSORPTION There are other less frequently encountered causes of malabsorption.
INFLAMMATORY DISEASES OF THE BOWEL IMMUNE DEFICIENCY MEDICATIONS CERTAIN TREATMENTS OTHER
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