Questions and Answers
What defines diarrhea in terms of bowel movement frequency and stool consistency?
What is a significant risk factor for developing acute diarrhea?
Which of the following statements about chronic diarrhea is accurate?
What is a serious consequence of severe or prolonged diarrhea?
Signup and view all the answers
Why do infants and children face a heightened risk from diarrhea as compared to adults?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a common alternative phrase used to describe diarrhea?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of diarrhea is primarily characterized by a viral infection of the stomach and small intestine?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following best describes the range of severity for diarrhea?
Signup and view all the answers
What strain of E.coli is primarily responsible for traveler's diarrhea?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is NOT a common route of infection for ETEC strains?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of parasite is Giardia lamblia?
Signup and view all the answers
Which parasite can survive chlorination and is known to spread through public swimming pools?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a common cause of diarrhea related to medications?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is associated with contaminated raspberries from Guatemala?
Signup and view all the answers
Travelers visiting countries with poor sanitation might consume which of the following to get infected with ETEC?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a characteristic symptom of infections associated with both parasites and bacteria that cause acute diarrhea?
Signup and view all the answers
What is indicated by the absence of leukocytes in the feces in cases of non-inflammatory diarrhea?
Signup and view all the answers
Which clinical symptom is most suggestive of viral enteritis or food poisoning caused by S. aureus?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary cause of cholera-induced diarrhea?
Signup and view all the answers
Which condition is characterized by the passage of more than 10 g of fecal fat per day?
Signup and view all the answers
What differentiates chronic motility diarrhea from other types of diarrhea?
Signup and view all the answers
What describes the stool consistency typically seen in cholera infections?
Signup and view all the answers
In which situation would a stool test for giardia likely be positive?
Signup and view all the answers
Which factor is NOT commonly associated with chronic infectious diarrhea?
Signup and view all the answers
Which condition is primarily associated with lactose intolerance?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary effect of undigested fat in the jejunum and colon?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following diseases is known to impair absorption of water due to inflammation?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the consequence of laxative abuse related to fluid secretion?
Signup and view all the answers
Which sugar is commonly associated with artificial sweeteners and can cause malabsorption diarrhea?
Signup and view all the answers
Secretory diarrhea is primarily caused by what physiological mechanism?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following conditions is least likely to cause diarrhea due to malabsorption?
Signup and view all the answers
Which pathogen is specifically known to produce endotoxins leading to secretory diarrhea?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the most common cause of epidemic diarrhea in environments such as nursing homes and schools?
Signup and view all the answers
Which bacterium is the leading cause of acute enterocolitis in the US?
Signup and view all the answers
How are toxins produced by Staphylococcus aureus often generated?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following bacteria is notably associated with enterocolitis due to antibiotic use?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of food handling typically leads to contamination with Staphylococcus aureus?
Signup and view all the answers
Which type of diarrhea is primarily caused by Rotavirus?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following statements is true regarding food contamination?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a common source of bacterial infections leading to diarrhea in the general population?
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.
Cholera-Related Diarrhea
- 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.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
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.