Pathophysiological approach to chronic diarrhoea

Intern Emerg Med. 2012 Oct:7 Suppl 3:S251-4. doi: 10.1007/s11739-012-0820-y.

Abstract

Chronic diarrhoea disrupts everyday life because of urgency, incontinence and frequent bowel movements. Non-inflammatory diarrhoea may be secondary to altered process of absorption, secretion or digestion. The most prevalent functional diarrhoea is due to altered gut-brain interaction and often after an acute gastroenteritis. Microscopic colitis, rare cases of eosinophilic colitis, congenital diarrhoeal disorders and bile acid malabsorption have been more frequently reported and their pathophysiology elucidated.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bile Acids and Salts
  • Chronic Disease
  • Colitis / physiopathology
  • Diarrhea / congenital
  • Diarrhea / physiopathology*
  • Eosinophilia / physiopathology
  • Gastrointestinal Motility / physiology
  • Humans
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome / physiopathology

Substances

  • Bile Acids and Salts