Clinical approach and management of chronic diarrhea

Chronic diarrhea is defined as the passage of loose stools that last for more than 4 weeks. Although generally it is estimated that the prevalence of chronic diarrhea only ranges 3-5% of population, but it poses some specific equally essential challenges compared to acute diarrhea because there are many differential diagnosis that should be considered as the cause of chronic diarrhea. One of them includes colorectal cancer and the small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, known as SIBO. In general, chronic diarrhea can be categorized into watery, malabsorption, and inflammatory diarrhea. A proper history taking, physical examination and laboratory investigation is therefore necessary for clinician in managing chronic diarrhea. Overall, the management of chronic diarrhea includes two types, i.e. supportive and pharmacological management both for infectious and non-infectious etiologies. Pharmacological treatment can also be classified into two kinds of treatment including symptomatic and causal treatment, which can be achieved through empirical therapy.