[Diagnostic strategy in diarrhea].

Planning the strategy in diagnosis of diarrhea some questions need to be answered: 1. Do the complaints in question fulfill the defined criteria of diarrhea? 2. Is it an acute diarrhea of infectious origin requiring fast microbiologic diagnosis? 3. Is it a chronic diarrhea? A) Do anamnestic findings and present status induce a certain suspected diagnosis, as in hyperthyreoidism, drugs, intestinal resections? B) Is a complete stepwise diagnostic planning needed as in Crohn's disease, insufficiency of the pancreas, non tropical sprue? Diagnostic measures have to be taken into consideration according to the answers given.