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Questions and Answers
What is a characteristic of acute watery diarrhea?
What is a characteristic of acute watery diarrhea?
Which of the following is NOT a symptom of diarrhea?
Which of the following is NOT a symptom of diarrhea?
Which type of diarrhea is characterized by the presence of blood?
Which type of diarrhea is characterized by the presence of blood?
What is a primary cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea?
What is a primary cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea?
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Which of the following symptoms is most closely associated with dysentery?
Which of the following symptoms is most closely associated with dysentery?
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Study Notes
Diarrhea
- Defined by at least three loose, liquid, or watery bowel movements within a day.
- Classified into four types: acute watery, acute bloody (dysentery), persistent, and chronic.
- Causes include bacterial infections, viruses, food intolerance, food allergies (like celiac disease), parasites, medication reactions, and intestinal diseases like inflammatory bowel disease.
- Symptoms include abdominal cramps, stomach pain, bloating, nausea, urgency to defecate, fever, bloody stools, and dehydration.
Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea
- Occurs due to the disruption of bacterial balance in the intestines by antibiotics.
- Certain antibiotics, like penicillins and cephalosporins, are more likely to cause it.
- Good bacteria normally control the growth of opportunistic bacteria like Clostridium difficile (C. diff).
- Antibiotics can kill off good bacteria, allowing C. diff to thrive and cause infections.
Dysentery
- A type of gastroenteritis characterized by bloody diarrhea.
- Two main types: amoebic (caused by Entamoeba histolytica) and bacillary (caused by Shigella).
- Symptoms include bloody or mucous diarrhea, high fever, nausea and vomiting, and painful abdominal cramps.
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Description
This quiz explores the definitions, types, and causes of diarrhea, including antibiotic-associated diarrhea and dysentery. It highlights symptoms and the impact of medications on intestinal health. Test your knowledge on this important health topic.
