Consultation in practice
Consultation in practice
Amanda is a customer in her late 20s who asks if you can recommend something for diarrhoea. She says that her symptoms started about 24 hours previously. Amanda isn’t taking any other medicines and hasn’t tried anything to relieve her diarrhoea.
Which of the following would you do at this stage?
Click on one of the options below.
Recommend an anti-diarrhoea product
Incorrect
Asking Amanda some further questions will help you find out if she has any other symptoms and if her diarrhoea is acute or recurrent
Recommend rehydration sachets to Amanda
Incorrect
Asking Amanda some further questions will help you find out if she has any other symptoms and if her diarrhoea is acute or recurrent
Ask Amanda some more questions to find out more about her symptoms
Correct
Asking Amanda some further questions will help you find out if she has any other symptoms and if her diarrhoea is acute or recurrent
On further questioning, Amanda says that she has IBS and has been experiencing bouts of diarrhoea every couple of weeks for the last few months. She says that she mostly suffers from diarrhoea but has previously experienced constipation and bloating symptoms. Amanda doesn’t describe any symptoms that might indicate a more serious condition.
Which of the following would you now do?
Click on one of the options below.
Refer Amanda to A&E for urgent assessment
Incorrect
Amanda has described symptoms that could be IBS-related and has not mentioned any symptoms that may indicate a more serious condition that would require referral to A&E
Advise Amanda to restrict her fluid intake
Incorrect
Amanda should stay hydrated, (particularly when experiencing diarrhoea) by drinking plenty of fluids, especially water or other non-caffeinated drinks3
Recommend an effective OTC product that will help to treat the root cause of Amanda’s presenting IBS-type symptom, provide her with self-care advice and advise her to speak with her GP regarding her symptoms if she hasn't already
Correct
Whilst following self-care advice, a product such as FyboCalm Diarrhoea Relief can relieve and help prevent gut symptoms recurring. Amanda's GP could help with her IBS management and be able to monitor her recurring symptoms
Self-care advice20
REDUCING DIARRHOEA
- Cut down on high fibre foods such as wholegrain foods (e.g. brown bread, brown rice) nuts and seeds
- Avoid products containing a sweetener called sorbitol
- If a customer keeps getting diarrhoea, advise them to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
RELIEVING CONSTIPATION
- Drink plenty of water to help make poo softer
- Increase dietary soluble fibre; good foods include oats, pulses, carrots, peeled potatoes and linseeds (whole or ground).
EASING WIND AND BLOATING
- Eat oats, such as porridge, regularly
- Avoid foods that are hard to digest such as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, beans, onions and dried fruit
- Avoid products containing a sweetener called sorbitol.
When to refer
Refer customers to their GP if you think any tests are necessary to rule out other possible causes of symptoms.
Customers should be advised to speak to their GP or NHS111 if:20
- Diet changes and over the counter products are not helping ease their symptoms
- They need to avoid lots of different foods to control their symptoms; they may need to be referred to a dietician or specialist for advice.
Customers should be advised to ask for an urgent appointment if they have:5
- Lost a lot of weight for no reason
- Bleeding from their bottom or bloody diarrhoea
- A hard lump or swelling in their tummy
- Shortness of breath, noticeable heartbeats (palpitations) and pale skin.