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Diarrhea and Constipation

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Handbook of Evidence-Based Critical Care

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Abstract

Diarrhea is a common problem in the ICU.1 Diarrhea is best defined as ≥3 loose stools per day.2,3 The incidence of diarrhea in the ICU varies widely according to the definition used.1 However, approximately 20–30% of ICU patients will develop clinically relevant diarrhea.4,5 In the ICU, diarrhea is best classified as infectious or non-infectious, based on the different therapeutic approaches. Multiple risk factors contribute to the causation of both infectious and non-infectious diarrhea.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA

    Paul Ellis Marik MBBCh, FCP(SA), FRCP(C), FCCP, FCCM, FACP, MD

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  1. Paul Ellis Marik MBBCh, FCP(SA), FRCP(C), FCCP, FCCM, FACP, MD
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Correspondence to Paul Ellis Marik MBBCh, FCP(SA), FRCP(C), FCCP, FCCM, FACP, MD .

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Marik, P.E. (2010). Diarrhea and Constipation. In: Handbook of Evidence-Based Critical Care. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-5923-2_38

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-5923-2_38

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-5922-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-5923-2

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