What is stool examination of gastro intestinal system
Stool examination of the gastrointestinal system involves the analysis of stool samples to evaluate the health and function of the digestive tract. It helps in the diagnosis and monitoring of various gastrointestinal conditions and disorders. The examination can be done for different purposes, such as:
1. Parasitic Infections: Stool examination can detect the presence of parasites like Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, or helminths like roundworms, hookworms, or tapeworms.
2. Bacterial Infections: Stool examination helps identify certain pathogenic bacteria like Salmonella, Shigella, or Campylobacter, which can cause gastroenteritis or food poisoning.
3. Viral Infections: Certain viral infections like rotavirus or norovirus can be identified through stool examination.
4. Malabsorption Disorders: The examination can evaluate the absorption capacity of the digestive system and identify conditions like celiac disease or pancreatic insufficiency.
5. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Stool examination helps to differentiate between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, two types of IBD.
6. Occult Blood Testing: This test is used to detect the presence of blood in the stool, which may indicate gastrointestinal bleeding, colorectal cancer, or other conditions.
The stool analysis involves different methods, such as direct microscopy for parasite identification, culture and sensitivity testing for bacterial infections, enzyme immunoassays for viral infections, and biochemical tests to assess digestive function and absorption.