Review Questions

• What are the common causative agents of acute diarrhoea?

  Viral infections such as E. coli, Salmonella, and C. difficile are common causes of acute diarrhoea.
• What is the typical duration of symptoms in acute diarrhoea?

  Symptoms of acute diarrhoea usually last less than 14 days.
• What are the clinical signs of acute diarrhoea?

  Clinical signs include fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, loose and watery stool, dehydration, and in some cases, bloody stool.
• How is acute diarrhoea diagnosed?

  Diagnosis is often made through stool microscopy, culture, and sensitivity (MCS) testing.
• What complications can arise from acute diarrhoea?

  The main complication of acute diarrhoea is dehydration, which can be severe, especially in vulnerable populations.
• What is the recommended treatment for acute diarrhoea?

  Treatment typically involves oral rehydration therapy, antibiotics for bacterial infections, and antimotility agents such as codeine or loperamide.
• What are the risk factors associated with acute diarrhoea?

  Risk factors include poor sanitation, crowded living conditions, and travel to areas with inadequate hygiene standards.
• How does acute diarrhoea differ from chronic diarrhoea?

  Acute diarrhoea typically lasts for a shorter duration (<14 days) compared to chronic diarrhoea (>30 days).
• Why is dehydration a concern in acute diarrhoea?

  Dehydration can occur due to fluid loss from frequent watery stools and vomiting, leading to electrolyte imbalances and potentially life-threatening complications.
• Can acute diarrhoea be prevented?

  Practicing good hygiene, such as frequent handwashing and consuming safe food and water, can help prevent viral and bacterial infections that cause acute diarrhoea.
• What are the common etiologies of chronic diarrhoea?

  Chronic diarrhoea can be caused by various conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), medications, dietary factors, and coeliac disease.
• How is chronic diarrhoea defined in terms of duration?

  Chronic diarrhoea is typically defined as lasting for more than 30 days.
• What are the clinical signs of chronic diarrhoea?

  Clinical signs may include frequent bowel movements, urgency, abdominal pain, and bloating.
• What complications can arise from chronic diarrhoea?

  Complications of chronic diarrhoea can include dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, malnutrition, and impaired quality of life.
• How is chronic diarrhoea diagnosed?

  Diagnosis may involve various tests such as coeliac screen, faecal calprotectin, flexible sigmoidoscopy, imaging, complete blood count (CBC), colonoscopy, and capsule endoscopy.
• What are the risk factors associated with chronic diarrhoea?

  Risk factors may include a history of gastrointestinal disorders, autoimmune diseases, or prolonged use of certain medications affecting gut motility.
• How does the management of chronic diarrhoea differ from acute diarrhoea?

  Management of chronic diarrhoea involves identifying and addressing the underlying cause through dietary modifications, medications, and lifestyle changes.
• What are some differential diagnoses for chronic diarrhoea?

  Differential diagnoses may include inflammatory bowel disease, malabsorption syndromes, and infectious gastroenteritis.
• What treatment options are available for chronic diarrhoea?

  Treatment may include dietary modifications, medications, probiotics, and lifestyle changes, tailored to the underlying cause and individual symptoms.
• What are the common risk factors associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?

  Risk factors for IBS include a history of gastrointestinal infections (such as gastroenteritis), psychological factors (such as stress or anxiety), female gender, younger age, a family history of IBS, and certain dietary factors (such as high-fat or low-fibre diets).
• How is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) classified?

  IBS is classified into subtypes based on predominant bowel habits: IBS with constipation (IBS-C), IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D), mixed IBS (IBS-M), and unsubtyped IBS (IBS-U).
• What are the clinical signs and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?

  Clinical signs include abdominal discomfort or pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits. Symptoms may include abdominal pain or discomfort, bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, or alternating between diarrhea and constipation.
• How does irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) differ from other gastrointestinal disorders?

  IBS is distinguished by the absence of structural abnormalities or inflammation in the digestive tract, with symptoms primarily driven by alterations in gut motility and visceral sensitivity.
• What are the potential complications of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?

  Complications of IBS may include colorectal cancer, although this risk is generally low compared to other gastrointestinal disorders.
• How is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) diagnosed?

  Diagnosis of IBS involves ruling out other gastrointestinal conditions through a combination of medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests, such as stool studies and imaging.
• What are some differential diagnoses for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?

  Differential diagnoses may include Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, microscopic colitis, colorectal cancer, and functional dyspepsia.
• What management strategies are recommended for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?

  Management typically involves dietary and lifestyle modifications, stress management techniques, and pharmacological therapies tailored to individual symptoms and subtypes.
• How can dietary modifications help in managing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?

  Dietary modifications, such as following a low FODMAP diet, can help alleviate symptoms by reducing the intake of certain fermentable carbohydrates that may trigger gastrointestinal symptoms.
• What medications are commonly used to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?

  Medications such as antispasmodics, laxatives or antidiarrheals, and antidepressants may be prescribed to manage symptoms such as abdominal pain, altered bowel habits, and mood disturbances associated with IBS.
• What are some of the potential causes of midgut dysmotility?

  Midgut dysmotility can result from factors such as genetic predisposition, autoimmune disorders, chronic inflammation, medications, and psychological factors that exacerbate symptoms.
• How is midgut dysmotility characterized?

  Midgut dysmotility is characterized by abnormal motility patterns and altered visceral sensation within the small intestine, leading to symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and postprandial fullness.
• What are the common clinical signs and symptoms of midgut dysmotility?

  Clinical signs and symptoms may include abdominal pain, bloating, postprandial fullness, nausea, anorexia, and weight loss, often without altered defecation patterns.
• What complications can arise from midgut dysmotility?

  Complications may include nutritional deficiencies, malnutrition, dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and psychological distress such as anxiety and depression.
• How is midgut dysmotility diagnosed?

  Diagnosis may involve motility studies, endoscopy, imaging studies (such as CT or MRI), and small intestinal biopsies to assess motility patterns and rule out other gastrointestinal disorders.
• What conditions should be considered in the differential diagnosis of midgut dysmotility?

  Conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional dyspepsia, gastroparesis, and chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO) should be considered in the differential diagnosis.
• How can dietary modifications help in managing midgut dysmotility?

  Dietary modifications, such as following a low FODMAP diet, may help alleviate symptoms by reducing the intake of fermentable carbohydrates that can exacerbate gastrointestinal symptoms.
• What medications are commonly used to treat midgut dysmotility?

  Medications such as prokinetic agents, smooth muscle relaxants, and antidepressants may be prescribed to help regulate motility patterns and alleviate symptoms associated with midgut dysmotility.
• Why is psychological support important in the management of midgut dysmotility?

  Psychological factors can exacerbate symptoms of midgut dysmotility, and providing psychological support, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, can help patients cope with their condition and improve overall well-being.
• What are the potential causes of functional diarrhoea?

  Functional diarrhoea may arise from factors such as stress, anxiety, dietary factors, and certain medications, rather than structural abnormalities or inflammation in the digestive tract.
• How is functional diarrhoea classified?

  Functional diarrhoea is classified based on its presentation of increased stool frequency and urgency without the presence of structural abnormalities or inflammation.