Bowel motions bloody, mucousy, watery and black.
Melena is black because---
The blood is oxidised in the ileum and colon. Generally about 100 to 200mls of upper GI bleeding is required to get melena. Black (not tarry) stools can be caused by iron supplements or Bismuth as well as foods like licorice and beetroot.
Which of the following organisms does not cause bloody diarrhoea?
Giardia causes abdominal cramps, bloating, nausea and watery, offensive smelling stools (as compared to pleasant stools --go figure). Treatment used to be 4 tablets of 500mg Tinidazole taken at one time. Unfortunately Tinidazole is no longer available so now you need to take a course of Metronidazole.
What is the most common cause of "Travellers diarrhoea".
There are many causes of what is called "travellers diarrhoea". Bacteria most often cause it--and of these Enterotoxigenic E.coli is the most common. Usually settles down with oral rehydration and rest. In more severe cases of travellers diarrhoea I would take Ciprofloxacin.
Which of the following about Shigellosis is UNTRUE?
In EKIRI syndrome patients present with decreased LOC, seizures, fever, diarrhoea, low Na, low Ca and cerebral oedema. Shigella is susceptible to antibiotics. In mild disease oral Ciprofloxacin or Azithromycin can decrease the duration of the disease by a few days. In severe disease IV Ceftriaxone is recommended.
Which of the following therapies were not used to try to treat diarrhoea in the 19th century?
The development of oral rehydration therapy in the 1960s and 1970s meant that it became the primary treatment for severe diarrhoea. Its development has saved millions of lives.
What is the most common cause of lower GI bleeding requiring hospital admission?
Diverticulosis makes up about 30% of cases.
Which of the following is UNTRUE about Rotavirus infection?
About 1 in 3 patients get a fever in the first few days. Symptoms last from a few days to a week. Most common in winter and spring. Treatment is supportive with oral or IV fluid replacement. Worldwide rotavirus causes an enormous health burden.
What typically fits the description of bleeding from haemorrhoids?
About half of people over 50yrs age have haemorrhoids. The word is from the Greek haema (blood) rhoos (flowing).
Which of the following is INCORRECT about bleeding in Ulcerative Colitis?
Ulkcerative colitis is resticted to fine ulcers on the inner mucosal lining of the large intestine. In Crohns disease the ulcers extend into the muscle wall and can affect anywhere along the digestive tract.
Salmonella was deliberately put into salad bars in 10 local restaurants in Oregon in 1984 and infected 751 people. This was the largest bioterrorism attack in USA history. What group did it?
The Rajneeshee sect was frustrated with the local council so decided to put up their own candidates. To decrease election turnout and give their candidates a better chance they decided to infect the salads. 45 of the infected required hospitalisation. Fortunately it did not work to get their candidates elected and a number of them went to jail.