Diarrhea Disease Summary

Questions and Answers

What defines diarrhea in terms of bowel movement frequency and stool consistency?

Increase in frequency of bowel movements, decrease in stool form, or both (correct)

Decrease in frequency of bowel movements and increased firmness of stool

Stable frequency of bowel movements but with a liquid consistency of stool

Increase in frequency of bowel movements with normal stool consistency

What is a significant risk factor for developing acute diarrhea?

Regular consumption of fatty foods

Infection, primarily viral but also bacterial and parasitic (correct)

Increased fiber intake in the diet

Dehydration prior to onset of diarrhea

Which of the following statements about chronic diarrhea is accurate?

Chronic diarrhea lasts less than 2 weeks in adults

Chronic diarrhea is defined solely by the consistency of the stool

It occurs without any underlying health conditions

It is considered chronic if it persists for 3 weeks in children and adults and 4 weeks in infants (correct)

What is a serious consequence of severe or prolonged diarrhea?

Dehydration leading to shock and kidney failure Signup and view all the answers

Why do infants and children face a heightened risk from diarrhea as compared to adults?

They can become dehydrated more quickly Signup and view all the answers

What is a common alternative phrase used to describe diarrhea?

Liquid stools Signup and view all the answers

What type of diarrhea is primarily characterized by a viral infection of the stomach and small intestine?

Viral gastroenteritis Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the range of severity for diarrhea?

Can be mild or severe, with potential life-threatening consequences Signup and view all the answers

What strain of E.coli is primarily responsible for traveler's diarrhea?

Enterotoxigenic E.coli (ETEC) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a common route of infection for ETEC strains?

Contaminated swimming pool water Signup and view all the answers

What type of parasite is Giardia lamblia?

A protozoan Signup and view all the answers

Which parasite can survive chlorination and is known to spread through public swimming pools?

Cryptosporidium Signup and view all the answers

What is a common cause of diarrhea related to medications?

Antacids and magnesium supplements Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is associated with contaminated raspberries from Guatemala?

Cyclospora infections Signup and view all the answers

Travelers visiting countries with poor sanitation might consume which of the following to get infected with ETEC?

Contaminated fruits Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic symptom of infections associated with both parasites and bacteria that cause acute diarrhea?

Severe abdominal pain and diarrhea Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated by the absence of leukocytes in the feces in cases of non-inflammatory diarrhea?

Non-inflammatory cause of diarrhea Signup and view all the answers

Which clinical symptom is most suggestive of viral enteritis or food poisoning caused by S. aureus?

Profuse vomiting Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of cholera-induced diarrhea?

Contaminated water supply Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is characterized by the passage of more than 10 g of fecal fat per day?

Pancreatic insufficiency Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates chronic motility diarrhea from other types of diarrhea?

Systematic disease or hormonal imbalance Signup and view all the answers

What describes the stool consistency typically seen in cholera infections?

Rice water stool Signup and view all the answers

In which situation would a stool test for giardia likely be positive?

Exposure to untreated water during outdoor activities Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT commonly associated with chronic infectious diarrhea?

Inadequate dietary fiber Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is primarily associated with lactose intolerance?

Malabsorption of carbohydrates Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary effect of undigested fat in the jejunum and colon?

Promotes excessive water secretions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following diseases is known to impair absorption of water due to inflammation?

Crohn disease Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of laxative abuse related to fluid secretion?

Inappropriate secretion of fluids Signup and view all the answers

Which sugar is commonly associated with artificial sweeteners and can cause malabsorption diarrhea?

Sorbitol Signup and view all the answers

Secretory diarrhea is primarily caused by what physiological mechanism?

Toxins promoting secretion of ions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following conditions is least likely to cause diarrhea due to malabsorption?

Hypertension Signup and view all the answers

Which pathogen is specifically known to produce endotoxins leading to secretory diarrhea?

Vibrio cholerae Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common cause of epidemic diarrhea in environments such as nursing homes and schools?

Calicivirus Signup and view all the answers

Which bacterium is the leading cause of acute enterocolitis in the US?

Campylobacter jejuni Signup and view all the answers

How are toxins produced by Staphylococcus aureus often generated?

In food either before consumption Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following bacteria is notably associated with enterocolitis due to antibiotic use?

Clostridium difficile Signup and view all the answers

What type of food handling typically leads to contamination with Staphylococcus aureus?

Leaving food at room temperature for over 6 hours Signup and view all the answers

Which type of diarrhea is primarily caused by Rotavirus?

Severe acute diarrhea in infants and young children Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding food contamination?

Some bacteria can produce toxins in the bowel post-consumption. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common source of bacterial infections leading to diarrhea in the general population?

Drinking contaminated water or eating contaminated foods Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Definition of Diarrhea

Characterized by increased frequency of bowel movements and decreased stool form.
Stools that are liquid or watery are always considered abnormal.
Acute diarrhea lasts several days to a week; chronic diarrhea persists for 3 weeks in children and adults and 4 weeks in infants.

Significance of Diarrhea

Ranges from mild, self-limiting episodes to severe, life-threatening conditions.
Severe diarrhea can lead to dehydration, shock, kidney failure, and electrolyte deficiencies, especially sodium and potassium.
Approximately 400 US children die annually from diarrhea complications; globally, about 2 million children die each year from diarrheal illnesses.
Diarrhea causes significant irritation to the anus due to frequent watery stool passage.

Common Causes of Diarrhea

Acute diarrhea is primarily caused by infections: viral, bacterial, or parasitic in nature.
Viral gastroenteritis is the leading cause of acute diarrhea worldwide; spread through contaminated food or person-to-person contact.
Rotavirus is the most common cause in infants; Norwalk virus leads to epidemics among school-aged children and adults.
Bacterial diarrhea often results from food poisoning and includes pathogens like Campylobacter jejuni, Shigella, and Salmonella.

Foodborne Causes

S. aureus and Clostridium perfringens can cause food poisoning; toxins can develop before or after food consumption.
Contaminated food and water sources are common culprits for bacterial infections leading to enterocolitis.

Parasitic Infections

Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium are parasites associated with diarrhea; often linked to contaminated water sources.
Cyclospora is found in certain contaminated fruits, while Cryptosporidium can survive chlorination in public swimming pools.

Other Causes and Risk Factors

Antibiotics frequently lead to Clostridium difficile infections in hospital settings.
Lactose intolerance, affecting a significant portion of the population, causes diarrhea through undigested lactose.
Malabsorption issues can involve carbohydrates, fats, or other complex conditions leading to diarrhea.

Types of Diarrhea

Secretory diarrhea occurs due to toxins promoting chloride secretion and fluid loss; example includes cholera.
Chronic malabsorptive diarrhea presents with weight loss, vitamin deficiencies, and can be linked to gastrointestinal diseases.

Diagnosis of Diarrhea

Physical exams, stool cultures, and more specific tests like imaging or biopsies aid in diagnosis.
Non-inflammatory diarrhea lacks leukocytes in stool; watery, non-bloody diarrhea may indicate small intestinal issues.
Vomiting alongside diarrhea suggests viral enteritis or food poisoning.

Caused by ingesting water or food contaminated with Vibrio cholerae, leading to massive fluid loss.
Symptoms include severe “rice water stools,” leading to dehydration and potential hypovolemic shock.

Chronic Diarrhea Conditions

Chronic malabsorptive diarrhea can be caused by conditions like celiac disease or bacterial overgrowth.
Chronic motility diarrhea may arise from systemic diseases or surgical history impacting gastrointestinal mobility.
Chronic infectious diarrhea often linked to parasite infections or prolonged antibiotic use.

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Description

This quiz provides a comprehensive summary of diarrhea, including its definition and the factors that characterize this condition. It explores the increase in bowel movement frequency and variations in stool consistency. Test your knowledge on the features and implications of diarrhea.