Concepts de base
False diarrhea can complicate chronic diarrhea diagnosis and management.
Résumé
The content discusses the challenges in managing chronic diarrhea, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing false diarrhea from genuine cases. It covers various mechanisms and causes of chronic diarrhea, including motility disorders, malabsorption, osmotic diarrhea, and secretory diarrhea. The article also highlights the significance of identifying underlying conditions like colorectal cancer, IBS, SIBO, and malabsorption in chronic diarrhea cases. Management strategies, diagnostic approaches, and treatment options are thoroughly explored.
Introduction to Chronic Diarrhea Management
Gastroenterologist Nassim Hammoudi highlights the need to understand chronic diarrhea characteristics.
Mechanisms of Chronic Diarrhea
Various mechanisms like motility disorders, malabsorption, and secretory diarrhea are discussed.
Identifying False Diarrhea
Differentiating between genuine and false diarrhea is crucial for accurate diagnosis.
Chronic Diarrhea: Could Cancer Be the Culprit?
Warning signs and criteria for colonoscopy in chronic diarrhea cases are outlined.
IBS Is Often at Play
Irritable bowel syndrome as a common cause of rapid intestinal transit diarrhea is explained.
Consider the Possibility of SIBO
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth as a potential cause of rapid intestinal transit diarrhea is explored.
Malabsorption Diarrhea
Causes, diagnosis, and treatment of malabsorption-related diarrhea are detailed.
Drug-Induced Microscopic Colitis
Secretory diarrhea, microscopic colitis, and drug-induced diarrhea are discussed.
Exudative Enteropathy
Distinct causes of chronic diarrhea like exudative enteropathy are highlighted.
Stats
Diarrhea is defined as the passage of frequent stools (more than three a day), soft to liquid in consistency, and a daily weight exceeding 300 g.
Between 10%–15% of patients with chronic diarrhea and apparently normal colonoscopy have microscopic colitis.
Several criteria should prompt a colonoscopy in chronic diarrhea cases, especially to search for colorectal cancer lesions.
Citations
"Thorough questioning is fundamental," Hammoudi emphasized.
"A soft stool passed once a day is not diarrhea," he said.
"The only treatment for celiac disease is a lifelong gluten-free diet,” said Hammoudi.