Diarrhea in critically ill patients.

The onset of diarrhea complicates the care of critically ill patients, who often have complex cardiopulmonary, renal or metabolic problems. Diarrhea further upsets fluid and electrolyte balance and creates difficulties in nutritional support. Common causes of acute diarrhea in critically ill patients include medications, enteral feedings, ischemic bowel disease, pseudomembranous colitis, short bowel syndrome, intestinal fistulas, pancreatic insufficiency and opportunistic infections in patients with AIDS.