The patient has diarrhoea. What could be the cause of this and what can be done to help?
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Possible cause | Possible cure |
| Amount of tube feed delivered daily was increased too quickly | Observe the slow introduction phase |
| Delivery rate too fast | Check delivery rate, reduce if needed |
| Tube feed too cold | Warm up to room temperature |
| Gastro-intestinal infection | Examination of stool culture |
| Nutrient intolerance (e.g. lactose, milk protein, fat) | Change to another tube feed |
| Accompanying antibiotic therapy | Change the antibiotics to build up the intestinal flora (probiotics or yoghurt) |
| Chemo / Radiation therapy | Antidiarrhoetics to build up the intestinal flora (probiotics or yoghurt), and a low-molecular easily absorbed diet, if needed |
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