Constipation Flashcards
What are the main RF for constipation?
Advanced age
Inactivity
Low calorie intake
Low fibre diet
Medications
Female sex
Fewer than how many bowel movements a week is classed as constipation?
Fewer than 3 bowel movements a week
How can >25% of bowel movements be affected in someone with constipation?
Hard stool
Tenesmus (sense of incomplete evacuation)
Excessive straining
What might there be a need for in someone with constipation?
Need for digital evacuation
What is primary constipation?
no organic cause
Due to dysregulation of the function of the colon or anorectal muscles
What is secondary constipation?
Due to e.g diet, drugs, metabolic, endocrine or neurological disorder or obstruction
What is the main feature of constipation?
The passage of infrequent hard stools
What are possible complications of constipation?
overflow diarrhoea
acute urinary retention
haemorrhoids
What chart can be used to document stool frequency and consistency over a period?
The Bristol stool chart
What are the possible presenting features of constipation?
Infrequent bowel motions (
Difficultly passing bowel motions
Tenesmus
Excessive straining
Abdominal distension
Abdominal mass felt at the left or right lower quadrants (stool)
Rectal bleeding
Anal fissures
Haemorrhoids
What abdominal symptoms can present in someone with constipation?
Abdominal distension
Abdominal mass felt at the left or right lower quadrants (stool)
What rectal symptoms can present in someone with constipation?
Rectal bleeding
Anal fissures
Haemorrhoids
What might present on a DRE of someone with constipation?
Presence of hard stool or impaction on digital rectal examination
What are the alarm features of constipation?
Weight loss
Loss of appetite
Abdominal mass
Dark stool
What lifestyle modifications can improve constipation?
Dietary improvements- Fibre
Increase exercise
