Diarrhoea

Disturbances in bowel habit are frequent occurrences in both the developed and developing world: their onset often prompts patients to seek medical attention. The causes of diarrhoea are myriad, ranging from the benign and self-limiting to the life-threatening. A careful history and examination are vital when managing patients presenting with diarrhoea. Further testing, which is often invasive and uncomfortable, should be reserved for those patients with worrying clinical features. Treatment of acute diarrhoea is often supportive; for those with chronic symptoms, treatment is usually aimed at the underlying cause.