The term<unk> ' is derived from the Greek term "to flow through." It is characterized by the passage of unformed or abnormally liquid stools at an increased frequency.<unk>  has a duration of <2 weeks. Infectious agents responsible for majority of cases include Norovirus, Salmonella, Shigella, Clostridium perfringens, Staphylococcus aureus, Rotavirus, Shigella, Enterotoxigenic E.coli (ETEC), Campylobacter and Cryptosporidium parvum. Risk factors may be classified based on travel history, epidemics, outbreaks, food history, animal contact, hospitalization and immunosupression.  The pathophysiology of<unk>  includes osmotic, secretory, inflammatory types, and<unk>  due to altered motility.<unk>  due to an osmotic causes includes osmotic laxatives such as lactose intolerance, antacids, fructose, lactulose, laxatives magnesium, phosphate, and sorbitol, which induce a secretory state. Bacterial infection of the intestine leads to activation of epithelial ion channels with increased secretion of anions. Invasion of the epithelium by various pathogens lead to exotoxin production and enhancement of enterocyte secretion by cytotoxins or intracellular signalling. The mortality rate due to<unk>  has been estimated for all ages to be 17.8 deaths per 100 000 of population. There is no established diagnostic study of choice for<unk>  as it is generally self-limited. Specific diagnostic studies are performed if symptoms last >7 days, in moderate-to-severe cases, dysentery, and to determine etiology in order to enable directed pathogen-specific therapy. Symptomatic treatment for<unk>  includes consumption of<unk> equate amounts of water, mixed with electrolytes to replace water and salt depletion. According to the ACG Clinical Guideline, use of balanced electrolyte rehydration is recommended in patients with traveller’s<unk> , excessively watery and severe<unk> . Medical supervision is required in infants with<unk> , moderate or severe<unk>  in young children, bloody<unk> ,<unk>  for more than two weeks and<unk>  associated with non-cramping abdominal pain, fever and weight loss. Empiric therapy is used as an initial treatment for diagnostic testing, after testing has failed to confirm a diagnosis, when there is no specific treatment or when specific treatment fails to effect a cure. Pharmacotherapy for<unk>  includes the use of antibiotics, anticholinergics, antimotility agents and other nonspecific antidiarrheal agents (probiotics).
Acute diarrhea
Acute abdominal pain
Chronic diarrhea
Brainerd diarrhea
Q fever
Abdominal angina
Acute pancreatitis
Acute abdomen