Harrison's Practice: Diarrhea, Acute

Diarrhea, Acute

Definition

Passage of abnormally liquid or unformed stools at an increased frequency
- Stool weight ≥ 200 g/d
- Duration of ≤ 2 weeks
Must be distinguished from:
- Pseudodiarrhea
  - Frequent passage of small volumes of stool
  - Often associated with rectal urgency and accompanied by irritable bowel syndrome or anorectal disorders such as proctitis
- Fecal incontinence
  - Involuntary discharge of rectal contents
  - Most often caused by neuromuscular disorders or structural anorectal problems
- Overflow diarrhea
  - May occur in nursing home patients due to fecal impaction
  - Fecal impaction is readily detectable by rectal examination.

Diarrhea, Acute has been found in Harrison's Practice

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