[Therapeutic guidelines in diarrhea].

In acute diarrhea water and electrolyte losses are compensated for by oral or intravenous rehydration. Oral rehydration solutions contain primarily glucose or glucose polymers and sodium as well as other electrolytes. In acute and chronic diarrhea, loperamide is the most potent and safe antidiarrheal drug. Antibiotics are used without hesitation only in invasive diarrhea. In chronic diarrhea, diagnostic work up must precede therapy. Potentially diarrheogenic drugs or foods have to be eliminated. In most cases, when the diagnosis has been established, specific therapeutic measures are available.