Speculations on the pathogenesis of diarrhea.

Abstract

diarrhea is defined as water and electrolyte malabsorption caused by at least 4 mechanisms including interruption of normal mucosal cell transport processes upset intestinal permeability unusual amounts of nonabsorbable osmotically active substances in the gut lumen and abnormal intestinal motility. The mechanisms of normal water and electrolyte movement within the body are described. Water and electrolyte losses occurring through stools during diarrhea are explained. Chronic diarrhea causes systemic disturbances which are described. In addition the pathogenesis of diarrhea in various diseases including cholera is hypothesized. It is cautioned that no gut abnormalities have been found often in cases of mortality in infants due to diarrhea. This would suggest that there must be congenital defects predisposing to this type of disease.