RT Book, Section
A1 Davis, Elizabeth
A1 Powers, Kimberly J.
A2 Stone, C. Keith
A2 Humphries, Roger L.
SR Print(0)
ID 55754276
T1 Chapter 36. Gastrointestinal Emergencies
T2 CURRENT Diagnosis & Treatment Emergency Medicine, 7e
YR 2011
FD 2011
PB The McGraw-Hill Companies
PP New York, NY
SN 978-0-0-07-170107-5
LK accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=55754276
RD 2024/04/25
AB Diarrhea  and  vomiting  are  common  reasons  for  Emergency  Department  visits.  Although  the  majority  of  cases  are  of  an  infectious,  self-limiting  nature,  the  differential  diagnosis  is  broad  with  the  potential  for  significant  morbidity  and  mortality.  Many  pathologic  processes  involve  gastrointestinal  (GI)  symptoms.  Included  are  intracranial  pathology  (trauma,  masses,  infections),  cardiac  disease  (myocardial  infarction,  angina),  toxic  exposures  (digoxin,  carbon  monoxide,  heavy  metals),  acute  abdominal  pathology  (intestinal  obstruction,  mesenteric  ischemia),  and  endocrine  abnormalities  (diabetic  ketoacidosis,  adrenal  insufficiency),  among  others.  In  addition,  infectious  causes  of  diarrhea  and  vomiting  can  cause  significant  harm,  especially  in  the  elderly,  in  infants,  and  in  immunocompromised  individuals  (Figure  36–1).