title: Chronic diarrhoea: investigation, treatment and nursing care.
abstract: Chronic diarrhoea is a distressing symptom of a number of conditions. This article explains the assessment of patients at the initial outpatient visit through the various investigations and finally medical and surgical treatment. Emphasis is placed on the nursing management of chronic diarrhoea, particularly the treatment of physical effects such as dehydration and perianal skin soreness, and the psychological aspects of care.
authors.affiliation: West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Hertfordshire. Chris.Metcalf@whht.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Metcalf
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications; D015984:Causality; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000150:complications; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D003681:Dehydration / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D010188:Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency / Q000150:complications; D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000150:complications; D008487:Medical History Taking; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D018529:Nutritional Support; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012812:Sigmoidoscopy; D017592:Skin Care / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D014195:Travel
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents