Flashcards in Acute Diarrhoea Deck (7):
1
What is severe acute diarrhoea ?
Diarrhoea is defined as an increase in stool volume associated with reduced stool consistency. If it has lasted for less than 2 weeks it is considered acute, and after 2 weeks it is chronic
2
What are the common causes of Diarrhoea?
Acute - Gastroenteritis, Travellers’ diarrhoea, C. diff, Viral (Rotavirus, Norovirus, Adenovirus), Drugs, Ischaemic colitis, Diverticulitis
Chronic – Coeliac, Irritable bowel syndrome, Hyperthyroidism, Crohns, UC, Colorectal cancer (Or Polyps), Chronic Pancreatitis, Lactose intolerance
3
What will you ask about in a history for acute diarrhoea?
Associated Symptoms:
Blood in stool – Infection (Campylobacter, Shigella, Salmonella, E. coli), UC, Crohns, Colorectal cancer, Polyps, C. diff, Ischaemic colitis, Diverticulitis
Mucous in stool - IBS, IBD, Colorectal cancer, Polyps, Diverticulitis
Steatorrhea – Pancreatic insufficiency, Biliary Obstruction
Explosive Diarrhoea – Chorea, Giardia, Rotavirus
Projectile Vomiting (Norovirus)
Bloating and flatus (Giardia, IBS, Coeliac)
Fever – Infective cause or severe inflammatory bowel disease
Specific Abdominal Pain – Diverticulitis (LLQ), Pancreatitis (Epigastric Radiating to the back)
General Symptoms - Nonspecific Abdominal pain, Nausea
Risk Factors:
Infection - Recent travel, Abnormal food, Occupational exposure, Recent Hospital stay, contact with D&V.
Specific Questions to ask:
Asses Severity - how many stools per day and compare to their normal (to gauge severity). Infectious cause more frequent stools
Red Flags for further investigations – Weight loss, Nocturnal Symptoms, Anaemia, Recent Hospital Admission or antibiotic use
Any recent constipation? - Diverticulitis or IBS alternate between the two. Or could be overflow incontinence
Recent hospital/antibiotic treatment - C. diff
Any cardiovascular risk factors? - Ischaemic colitis
Occupational history- Are they allowed back to work and what risk factors have they been exposed too (hospital, care homes, day care etc)
4
What will you look for on examination of a patient with diarrhoea
Examination findings acute: The most important thing is to assess fluid status
End of the bed:
Reduced skin turgidity
Low urine output
Pale
Hands:
Increased capillary refill
Weak peripheral pulses
Cold peripheries
Hypotension
Tachycardia
Face:
Dry Mucous membranes
Legs:
Weak peripheral pulses
Cold peripheries
PR:
Feel for any rectal masses or impacted faeces. Also examine for blood/mucous
Examination findings chronic: The most important thing is to assess signs of anaemia (indicating bleeding) and for any signs of an underlying cause
End of the bed:
Pale – Anaemia
Hands:
Clubbing – Coeliac, IBD
Koilonychia – Iron Deficiency Anaemia
Face:
Goitre – And other signs of hyperthyroidism
Oral Ulcers – Crohns, Coeliac
Glossitis – Iron deficiency Anaemia
Chest:
Raised Virchow’s Node – GI cancers
PR:
Feel for any rectal masses or impacted faeces. Also examine for blood/mucous
5
What investigations will you order for diarrhoea?
Investigations: Only patients with systemic signs (fever, dehydration, blood) require further investigation, or patients with red flags
Bedside:
Stool cultures (send multiple samples)– A negative stool culture is required for diagnosis, also helps to rule out infective causes.
Test stool sample for C. diff
Full set of observations
Bloods:
FBC - Looking for infection or anaemia (Iron define due to blood loss)
ESR/CRP- Looking for infection/Inflammatory response in IBD
U&E - Looking for dehydration or electrolyte losses
TSH - Rule out hyperthyroidism
Coeliac serology (Anti Tissue Transglutaminase) - Rule out coeliac disease
Faecal Elastase – Rule out Chronic pancreatitis
Imaging:
If severe may consider an Abdominal X-ray
Lower GI endoscopy - Do not do in acute stage if possible as increased risk of perforation
6
What is the emergency treatment of diarrhoea
What is the treatment emergency treatment:
Resuscitation:
A-E approach
Get IV Access/Give O2 to maintain sats of 94+ /Attach 12 lead ECG
Assessment with AMPLE history and brief examination
Get help - Medical reg on call
Frequent Observations - Constant or 15 minutely
Patients may need electrolyte/ fluid replacement
7