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Related Experiment Videos

Chronic diarrhea. A practical approach.

J W Matseshe, S F Phillips

    The Medical Clinics of North America
    |January 1, 1978
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Most chronic diarrhea cases are functional, not organic. Initial tests help determine the cause and location, guiding further investigation for serious conditions.

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    Area of Science:

    • Gastroenterology
    • Internal Medicine
    • Clinical Diagnostics

    Background:

    • Chronic diarrhea affects many patients, often without identifiable organic disease.
    • Functional diarrhea is a common diagnosis in patients presenting with persistent diarrhea.
    • Distinguishing functional from organic diarrhea is crucial for appropriate patient management.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To outline a diagnostic approach for chronic diarrhea.
    • To differentiate between functional and organic causes of diarrhea.
    • To emphasize the importance of initial investigations in diagnosing diarrhea.

    Main Methods:

    • Review of diagnostic strategies for chronic diarrhea.
    • Emphasis on history, physical examination, and initial laboratory tests.

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  • Recommendations for specific investigations including stool analysis, proctosigmoidoscopy, and barium enema for suspected functional diarrhea.

    • Main Results:

    • Initial clinical evaluation and basic tests can often provisionally diagnose the origin (organic vs. functional) and location (small vs. large bowel) of diarrhea.
    • Common organic causes include malabsorption, inflammatory bowel diseases, colorectal cancer, parasitic infections, and metabolic disorders.
    • Patients with functional diarrhea require thorough investigation and are still susceptible to other severe diseases.

    Conclusions:

    • A systematic diagnostic approach is essential for patients with chronic diarrhea.
    • Functional diarrhea is prevalent and requires careful consideration, as these patients can develop other serious conditions.
    • Appropriate investigation, including stool analysis and endoscopic procedures, is key to managing chronic diarrhea effectively.