Acute Medicine | Diarrhoea case 02 knowledge A

Investigation and Management of Diarrhoea
Session Overview
Description
This session addresses the assessment, investigation and management of diarrhoea, with a particular focus on common conditions that present in the acute medical setting.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Assess patients with acute and chronic diarrhoea
• Recall common conditions presenting with diarrhoea and distinguish between them
• Describe the management of some common disorders associated with malabsorption
• Outline how to manage patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Diarrhoea is one of the commonest causes for hospital admission. It can impact quality of life significantly, especially if it is chronic, and is of particular concern in the elderly regardless of the duration.

It is important to recognise whether or not inpatient management is required. Equally, it is extremely important to recognise if outpatient follow-up is needed and, in these cases, the investigation process should start immediately to avoid delays in treatment.