The only problem normally encountered is the patient's embarrassment to talk about the subject. Diagnosis Pharmacists should not treat chronic diarrhoea and should be wary of treating acute diarrhoea of more than 24 hours' duration. The following refers only to acute diarrhoea. Symptom complex Acute diarrhoea is characterised by its rapid onset, which may be accompanied by gastric cramp, stomach pains, colonic pain, flatulence, nausea and vomiting, and occasionally pyrexia. Formed stool is not often present in patients with true diarrhoea, although at the start of an attack stool may be mixed or only semi-formed.
Pyrexia is more common with invasive bacterial attack.
Pains associated with this condition can be either in the upper or lower region of the intestine or both. Universal factors Common causes of diarrhoea include 'bad' or unusual food, alcohol, drugs and contaminated water, especially for those who have travelled abroad. In the case of 'food poisoning', others who ate the same food may have a similar problem. Foods which are unusual for the patient may cause the problem as may spicy meals or alcohol excess. In the more severe cases, drug treatment is required.