Diarrhea and Related Disorders

Diarrhea and Related Disorders

Introduction

  • Caused by various viral and bacterial organisms.

  • Generally a minor discomfort, self-limited, and not life-threatening.

Types of Diarrhea

  1. Pathophysiologic Mechanisms

    • Secretory

    • Osmotic

    • Exudative

    • Altered Intestinal Transit

  2. Absorption Mechanisms

    • Active Transport

    • Diffusion

    • Solvent Drag

Management of Diarrhea

  • Focus on:

    • Preventing excessive water and electrolyte losses

    • Dietary care

    • Symptom relief

    • Treating curable causes and secondary disorders

  • Bismuth Subsalicylate

    • Used for indigestion, abdominal cramps, diarrhea (including traveler’s diarrhea).

    • May have interactions if used in excess.

Constipation

  • Identify underlying causes for corrective measures (e.g., dietary changes, treatment of hypothyroidism).

  • Treatment Foundation

    • Dietary fiber or bulk-forming laxatives (10-15 g/day).

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

  • Common gastrointestinal disorder characterized by:

    • Lower abdominal pain

    • Disturbed defecation

    • Bloating

  • Visceral hypersensitivity is a key factor in its pathophysiology.

  • Management includes:

    • Dietary modifications

    • Medications (e.g., loperamide, tricyclic compounds, gut-selective calcium channel blockers).

    • Insufficient diet changes may require additional drugs for symptom control.