[Diagnosis and therapy of diarrhea].

Diarrhea is still one of the most frequent causes of death and poses many diagnostic and therapeutic problems. Whereas the etiology of acute diarrhea is mainly infectious, the cause of chronic diarrhea is much more multifarious and thus more difficult to diagnose. The etiology of acute diarrhea as well as the sense and nonsense of diagnostic procedures and therapeutic possibilities are discussed. A rational and practical concept for evaluation of chronic diarrhea is presented.