Antibiotic-associated diarrhea
Antibiotic-associated diarrhea (pronunciation: /ænˌtaɪ.bɪˈɒt.ɪk əˈsoʊ.ʃiˈeɪ.tɪd daɪəˈriːə/) is a condition that occurs when antibiotics disturb the natural balance of microorganisms in the intestine. The term is derived from the Greek words anti (against), bios (life), and diarrhea (flowing through).
Overview
Antibiotic-associated diarrhea can occur with most antibiotics. However, it is more common with certain types, such as clindamycin, cephalosporins, penicillins, and quinolones. The condition can range from mild and annoying to severe and life-threatening. In severe cases, it can lead to colitis, an inflammation of the colon, or a more serious type of colitis called Clostridium difficile colitis.
Symptoms
Symptoms of antibiotic-associated diarrhea may include loose stools, more frequent bowel movements, and abdominal pain. In severe cases, patients may also experience fever, blood or pus in the stool, and severe abdominal cramping.
Prevention and Treatment
Prevention strategies include using antibiotics judiciously and only when necessary. Treatment typically involves stopping the antibiotic that caused the diarrhea and switching to a different one. In severe cases, specific treatment for Clostridium difficile infection may be required.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Antibiotic-associated diarrhea
- Wikipedia's article - Antibiotic-associated diarrhea
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski