Constipation Flashcards
Who is affected?
- Affects 2-27% of American pop (underestimated)
* Women, elderly, and children = highest risk
Definition
3 or less stools/week
May lead to?
Hypertension, Arrhythmias, Rectal Prolapse, Hemarrhoids
Caused by which medical conditions?
- IBS
- Anal ulcers
- Anal fissures
Caused by which meds?
- Ca or Al antacids
- Narcotic analgesics
- Anticholinergics
- Tricylclics
- Some Ca channel blockers
- Antispasmodics
Caused by which psych/physiologic conditions?
• Depression Slows GI movement
Caused by which lifestyle characteristics?
- Menopause
- Intake of fluids/Dehydration
- Diet
- Avoiding the Urge
Why in Advanced Age
- Physiologic changes
- Mult. med conditions
- Mult. meds
- lifestyle
Why in Pedes
- Unavialable toilet facilites
- Change in daily routine or environment
- Decrease in fiber
Why in Women
*Medical conditions
*Hormonal changes
Slower transit time
*Pregnancy
Treatment Goals
- Relieve constipation and reestablish normal bowel function
- Establish dietary/exercise habits
- Promote safe, effective use of laxatives
- Avoid overuse of laxative products
General Treatment Approach
- Lifestyle modifications
- Do not ignore the urge
- Laxatives
Lifestyle Modifications
- High Fiber Diet (20-30gm/day)
- increased water/fluids (32-128oz/day)
- Exercise
Types of laxatives
- Bulk Forming
- Emollient
- Lubricant
- Saline (Osmotic)
- Hyperosmotic
- Stimulants
- Miscellaneous
Exclusions to Self-treatment
- Marked abdominal pain/cramping
- Marked/unexplained flatulence
- Fever
- Nausea/vomiting
- Paraplegia/Quadriplegia
- Daily laxative use
- Unexplained changes in bowel habits, especially if accompanied by wt. loss
Exclusions to Self-treatment cont.
- Bloody/Black/Tarry stool
- Change in caliber of stool
- Any bowel sx that persist >2wks or recur >over 3 months
- Any bowel sx that recur after dietary or lifestyle changes
- Any bowel sx that recur after laxative use
- History of IBD
Combo Products
Often a stimulant and stool softener
Visicol Function and dose
Sodium phosphate take the evening before a coloscopy and repeat day of:
• 3 tabs with 8oz of clear liquids q15min for 20 tabs (last dose will be 2 tabs)
Visicol SE
Caution with acute phosphate nephropathy
Watery BM occurs an hour of starting
18 years and up
Need to be hydrated
Bulk-forming types
- Methylcellulose
- Carboxymethylcellulose sodium
- Psyllium
- Partially hydrolyzed gaur gum
- Polycarbophil
- Plantago seeds
Bulf-forming MOA and onset
Stool is bulked > Water rushes to the intestines and is retained > swelling occurs > peristalsis is stimulated
Onset: 12-24 hours, up 72 hours
Bulk-forming AE
- Abdominal cramping
- Flatulence
- Esophageal obstruction
*if not mixed thoroughly with enough water, clumps may form in the esophagus