General Principles

• Acute diarrhea consists of abrupt onset of ≥3 unformed bowel movements in conjunction with associated symptoms such as tenesmus, fecal urgency, increased flatulence, nausea, or vomiting.¹ Infectious agents, toxins, and drugs are the major causes of acute diarrhea. In hospitalized patients, pseudomembranous colitis, antibiotic- or drug-associated diarrhea, and fecal impaction should be considered.²
• Chronic diarrhea consists of passage of loose stools with or without increased stool frequency and urgency for more than 4 weeks.³