Diarrhea
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Diarrhea (sometimes spelled diarrhoea) is "an increased liquidity or decreased consistency of feces, such as running stool. Fecal consistency is related to the ratio of water-holding capacity of insoluble solids to total water, rather than the amount of water present. Diarrhea is not hyperdefecation or increased fecal weight."[1]
When constant abdominal pain accompanies diarrhea, a problem requiring surgery may be present.[2]
Treatment
The underlying cause of the diarrhea should be treated. In addition, non-specific treatment includes anti-motility drugs such as loperamide (Imodium®, others), which is available over-the-counter in the United States and diphenoxylate ((Lomotil®) is a synthetic opiate agonist available by prescription.
References
- ↑ Anonymous (2024), Diarrhea (English). Medical Subject Headings. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
- ↑ Chen, Esther H. et al. 2008. Derivation of a clinical prediction rule for evaluating patients with abdominal pain and diarrhea. The American Journal of Emergency Medicine 26, no. 4:450-453. DOI:10.1016/j.ajem.2007.07.023