How To Diagnose Chronic Diarrhea

When dealing with chronic diarrhea, the first step in diagnosis involves a comprehensive stool analysis. This includes tests such as fecal occult blood testing, white blood cell smear examination, red blood cell analysis, gastric digestion of food particles, parasite egg detection, Sudan III stain for fecal fat, bacterial and fungal smears, and stool culture for pathogenic bacteria.

Blood tests are also crucial in identifying underlying causes, including a complete blood count (CBC), serum electrolytes, liver and kidney function tests, blood gas analysis, and measurement of gastrointestinal hormones or peptides. These tests can help detect hormonal imbalances or abnormalities associated with neuroendocrine tumors of the gastrointestinal tract or pancreas, which may lead to secretory diarrhea.

Specialized functional tests may also be necessary to evaluate small intestine absorption capacity. One such test is the xylose absorption test, which assesses the ability of the intestines to absorb this simple sugar. Another important diagnostic tool is the vitamin B12 absorption test, which helps determine if malabsorption is contributing to the diarrhea.

Accurate diagnosis requires a combination of clinical evaluation and laboratory investigations. Identifying whether the cause is infectious, inflammatory, hormonal, or related to malabsorption is key to determining the appropriate treatment plan. Physicians often rely on these diagnostic methods to differentiate between various types of chronic diarrhea and provide targeted therapy.

Early and precise diagnosis significantly improves patient outcomes. By understanding the root cause through these diagnostic procedures, healthcare providers can tailor interventions to manage symptoms effectively and address the underlying condition causing chronic diarrhea.