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Related Concept Videos

Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation01:30

Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation

Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is classified into subtypes based on the predominant bowel habits as determined by the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS). The subtypes are:
Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction01:17

Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction

Chronic bowel diseases are a group of long-term conditions affecting the digestive tract, characterized by inflammation and damage to the gut lining. These conditions primarily include irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy01:30

Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy

Various diagnostic tests are employed in the diagnostic process for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), particularly to differentiate between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the colonic...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis01:27

Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis

Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Antimicrobials as Antidiarrheal Agents01:18

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Antimicrobials as Antidiarrheal Agents

Acute diarrhea, a common gastrointestinal disturbance, is characterized by the rapid evacuation of fluid stools, leading to an excessive weight in fluid. This condition typically arises from disorders affecting intestinal water and electrolyte transport. It can be triggered by an increased osmotic load within the intestine, excessive secretion of electrolytes and water, mucosal exudation of protein and fluid, or altered intestinal motility. The primary risks of acute diarrhea are dehydration...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations01:20

Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encompasses two major chronic disorders—ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease—each characterized by relapsing episodes of gastrointestinal inflammation. Although they share certain clinical features, their patterns of involvement and manifestations differ in ways that aid diagnosis and guide management.Ulcerative ColitisUlcerative colitis is limited to the colon and rectum and involves continuous inflammation of the mucosal layer. The disease course is marked...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Ginger Moxibustion, A Non-pharmacological Treatment, for Diarrhea in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
03:25

Ginger Moxibustion, A Non-pharmacological Treatment, for Diarrhea in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Published on: December 27, 2024

[Chronic diarrhea: etiologies and diagnostic evaluation].

A Schoepfer1

  • 1Klinik für Gastroenterologie, Inselspital, Bern. alain.schoepfer@insel.ch

Praxis
|June 18, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Chronic diarrhea, lasting four or more weeks, stems from various disorders, often non-infectious in developed nations. Identifying the pathogenic mechanism (osmotic, secretory, inflammatory, dysmotility) aids cost-effective diagnosis.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Internal Medicine
  • Pathophysiology

Context:

  • Chronic diarrhea affects numerous patients, often linked to non-infectious etiologies in developed countries.
  • Understanding the underlying causes and mechanisms is crucial for effective patient management.
  • Diagnostic approaches are essential for differentiating various causes of prolonged diarrhea.

Purpose:

  • To provide an overview of the primary causes and pathogenic mechanisms of chronic diarrhea.
  • To outline a diagnostic algorithm for evaluating patients with chronic diarrhea.
  • To emphasize the importance of identifying the specific pathomechanism for efficient workup.

Summary:

  • Chronic diarrhea is defined by decreased fecal consistency for ≥4 weeks, with four main pathogenic mechanisms: osmotic, secretory, inflammatory, and dysmotility.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Ginger Moxibustion, A Non-pharmacological Treatment, for Diarrhea in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
03:25

Ginger Moxibustion, A Non-pharmacological Treatment, for Diarrhea in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Published on: December 27, 2024

  • Diagnostic tools like 72-hour fecal collection and fasting tests help identify the pathomechanism, narrowing down potential etiologies.
  • Endoscopy is a key component in the diagnostic evaluation of chronic diarrhea.

    • Impact:

    • Facilitates a more targeted and cost-effective diagnostic workup for chronic diarrhea.
    • Improves clinical decision-making by clarifying the underlying causes and mechanisms.
    • Enhances the management of chronic diarrhea by enabling precise etiological diagnosis.