Constipation

Question 1

Approximate transit time of mouth?

Answer 1

About 1 min

Question 2

Approximate transit time of esophagus?

Answer 2

4-8 seconds

Question 3

Approximate transit time for stomach?

Answer 3

2-4 hrs

Question 4

Approximate transit time for small intestine?

Answer 4

3-5 hrs

Question 5

Approximate transit time for large intestine or colon?

Answer 5

10 hrs to several days

Question 6

Causes of hypermotility/faster transit time?

Answer 6

Meds, bacterial overgrowth from colon to small bowel (mainly hydrogen sulfide producing microbes), other bacterial/parasitic infection, supplements that inc. amount of water in colon, stress, fight or flight, diseases of the gut (ulcerative colitis, crohns)

Question 7

Causes of hypomotility/slower transit time?

Answer 7

Meds, bacterial overgrowth from colon into small bowel (mainly methane producing microbes), Parkinson’s, diseases of colon (ulcerative colitis, crohns), delayed gastric emptying (slower stomach emptying into small intestine)

Question 8

Type 1 on Bristol stool chart?

Answer 8

Separate, hard lumps (severe constipation)

Question 9

Type 2 on the Bristol stool chart?

Answer 9

Lumpy and sausage like (mild constipation)

Question 10

Type 3 on the Bristol stool chart?

Answer 10

A sausage shape w cracks in surface (normal)

Question 11

Type 4 on the Bristol stool chart?

Answer 11

Smooth, soft sausage or snake (normal)

Question 12

Type 5 on Bristol stool chart?

Answer 12

Soft blobs w clear cut edges (lacking fiber)

Question 13

Type 6 on Bristol stool chart?

Answer 13

Mushy consistency w ragged edges (mild diarrhea)

Question 14

Type 7 on Bristol stool chart?

Answer 14

Liquid consistency w no slid pieces (severe diarrhea)

Question 15

What’s the most common digestive complaint in the general population?

Answer 15

Constipation

Question 16

Prevalence of chronic constipation for males/females?

Answer 16

26% males
34% females

Question 17

Prevalence of constipation increases with what?

Answer 17

Age (mostly >65 years)
For an older adult prevalence range is 24-50%

Question 18

Constipation is more common in which patients?

Answer 18

Those w physical inactivity, low income, poor education

Question 19

What is constipation?

Answer 19

Infrequent bowel movements (<3/week), straining, hard stools, feeling of incomplete evacuation

Question 20

Risk factors for constipation?

Answer 20

Inc age, female, physical inactivity, low education/income, concurrent med use, depression, comorbidities, nursing home residence, consumption of fewer calories/meals

Question 21

What are the etiologies of primary colorectal dysfunction?

Answer 21

Slow transit constipation, dyssynergic defecation, IBS

Question 22

Secondary causes of consitipation?

Answer 22

Organic, endocrine or metabolic, neurologic, myogenic, anorectal, drugs, diet or lifestyle