Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 8, 2026
03:25
Ginger Moxibustion, A Non-pharmacological Treatment, for Diarrhea in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Published on: December 27, 2024
Persistent diarrhea: still a serious public health problem in developing countries.
1Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. ulyneto@osite.com.br
Current Gastroenterology Reports
|August 13, 2013
Summary
Persistent diarrhea in young children causes significant mortality. Early nutritional support and hygiene are key to preventing prolonged illness and death, with antibiotics rarely needed.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Diarrhea remains a leading cause of death in children under five globally.
- Prolonged diarrhea can lead to malabsorption, malnutrition, and increased mortality risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide current knowledge on persistent diarrhea in children.
- To contribute to reducing the incidence of persistent diarrhea.
Main Methods:
- This is a review article, synthesizing existing knowledge.
- Focuses on etiologic agents, treatment strategies, and preventive measures.
Main Results:
- Potential causes include viral, bacterial, and parasitic agents.
- Treatment should prioritize preventing malabsorption and correcting fluid/electrolyte imbalances.
- Antibiotics are generally not indicated for most cases.
Conclusions:
- Breastfeeding, safe dietary practices, and improved sanitation/hygiene are crucial preventive measures.
- Effective management focuses on nutritional support and rehydration, not routine antibiotics.
- Reducing morbidity and mortality from diarrhea in young children requires a multi-faceted approach.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Drugs 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...
01:25Cholera
Cholera is an acute gastrointestinal disease caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It is transmitted primarily via the fecal-oral route through the ingestion of contaminated water or food.Vibrio cholerae is a motile, Gram-negative bacterium of the family Vibrionaceae, primarily associated with waterborne outbreaks in areas with inadequate sanitation. Although over 200 serogroups of V. cholerae exist, only O1 and O139 are responsible for epidemic cholera. The O1 serogroup,...
01:30Reservoir of Infection
Infectious diseases arise from intricate interactions between pathogens and their reservoirs. A reservoir of infection refers to the natural habitat where a pathogen lives, grows, and multiplies, serving as a continual source of infection. Reservoirs are broadly classified as either living or nonliving, and each plays a unique role in disease transmission, significantly influencing public health interventions and control strategies.Humans act as reservoirs for a wide array of pathogens,...
01:20Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Adsorbents as Antidiarrheal Agents
Diarrhea is characterized by the occurrence of frequent, watery bowel movements. Various factors can trigger diarrhea, including viral or bacterial infections, foodborne illnesses, side effects from certain medications, and underlying digestive disorders. If not adequately managed, diarrhea can lead to complications such as dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and nutrient deficiencies. Severe diarrhea can lead to significant weight loss, malnutrition, and weakened immune function.
Adsorbents...
Adsorbents...
01:17Chronic 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...
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...
01:28Fungal Phylum Microsporidia
Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...