Evaluation of the adult patient with diarrhea.
This article provides the primary care clinician with a general diagnostic and therapeutic approach to the adult patient with diarrhea. Basic pathophysiologic mechanisms are described. Important causes and clinical features of each type of diarrhea are highlighted. A step-by-step diagnostic evaluation is suggested, and an overview of treatment options is presented.
Division of Gastroenterology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA.
J A
JA
Kroser
D C
DC
Metz
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000930:Antidiarrheals / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D005243:Feces; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000503:physiopathology; D012812:Sigmoidoscopy; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance / Q000502:physiology
D000930:Antidiarrheals