Diarrhea: Initial Evaluation and Treatment in the Emergency Department

Alexa R Gale; Matthew Wilson

doi:10.1016/j.emc.2015.12.006

Diarrhea: Initial Evaluation and Treatment in the Emergency Department

Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2016 May;34(2):293-308. doi: 10.1016/j.emc.2015.12.006. Epub 2016 Mar 16.

Authors

Alexa R Gale¹, Matthew Wilson²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Emergency Medicine, Medstar Washington Hospital Center, 110 Irving Street NW, Washington, DC 20010, USA. Electronic address: Alexa.R.Gale@medstar.net.
² Department of Emergency Medicine, Medstar Washington Hospital Center, 110 Irving Street NW, Washington, DC 20010, USA.

PMID: 27133245
DOI: 10.1016/j.emc.2015.12.006

Abstract

Diarrhea generates a wide range of diagnostic considerations and has profound individual and public health significance. The setting and circumstances under which a patient presents with diarrhea drastically influences the concern brought to the encounter. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are often provisionally labeled "gastroenteritis" with appropriate expectant management. In resource-poor countries, the significance of diarrhea is even greater. This review focuses on diarrhea and its initial evaluation and management in the emergency department.

Keywords: Diagnosis; Diarrhea; Emergency department; Gastroenteritis; Management.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Dehydration / prevention & control
Diarrhea* / diagnosis
Diarrhea* / etiology
Diarrhea* / therapy
Disease Management
Disease Notification
Emergency Service, Hospital*
Gastroenteritis* / diagnosis
Gastroenteritis* / microbiology
Gastroenteritis* / parasitology
Gastroenteritis* / therapy
Humans