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Case Reports
. 2012 Jun;87(6):596-602.
doi: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2012.02.015.

Evaluating the patient with diarrhea: a case-based approach

Seth Sweetser  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Evaluating the patient with diarrhea: a case-based approach

Seth Sweetser. Mayo Clin Proc. 2012 Jun.

Abstract

The evaluation of the patient with diarrhea can be complex and the treatment challenging. In this article, the definition of diarrhea and the pathophysiologic mechanisms that lead to diarrhea are reviewed. A simplified 5-step approach to the patient with diarrhea is provided and applied in a case-oriented manner applicable to everyday clinical practice. On completion of this article, you should be able to (1) define diarrhea, (2) outline various pathophysiologic mechanisms of diarrhea, and (3) describe a simplified 5-step approach to facilitate the evaluation of diarrhea.

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Figures

FIGURE
FIGURE
Categorization of diarrhea. CT = computed tomography; EUS = endoscopic ultrasonography; SIBO = small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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