Constipation Flashcards

1
Q

List four mechanisms of constipation.

A

Abnormal bowel peristalsis
Hard faeces
Bowel obstruction
Patient not able/willing to push

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2
Q
For each of the mechanisms below, list some causes of constipation:
Abnormal bowel peristalsis
Hard faeces 
Bowel obstruction
Patient not able/willing to push
A
- Abnormal bowel peristalsis
IBS
Medications
Others: hypothyroidism, hypercalcaemia, hypokalaemia, diabetic neuropathy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease 
- Hard faeces
Lack of dietary fibre
Dehydration
- Bowel obstruction
Colorectal carcinoma
Sigmoid volvulus
- Patient not able/willing to push
Haemorrhoids
Anal fissure 
Pelvic floor dysfunction
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3
Q

List some red flag symptoms that may suggest that the constipation has a sinister cause.

A

Severe constipation that’s unresponsive to treatment
Absolute constipation
Rectal bleeding, tenesmus or intermittent mucoid diarrhoea
Significant weight loss, iron deficiency anaemia, night sweats

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4
Q

Why is it important to ask about the time course of the constipation?

A

Chronic constipation – usually benign

Recent change – pathology

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5
Q

Describe the type of stools that will be passed in constipation caused by dehydration or a lack of dietary fibre.

A

Hard and lumpy

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6
Q

List some associated symptoms of constipation.

A
Weight loss, night sweats, fever 
Diarrhoea
Tenesmus
Blood in stools 
Bloating 
Hypothyroid symptoms (cold intolerance, weight gain, reduced appetite)
Bone pains 
Polyuria and polydipsia
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7
Q

What might intermittent diarrhoea with constipation suggest?

A

Young – IBS
Middle-aged – colorectal cancer
Elderly – diverticular disease

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8
Q

What is tenesmus and what does it indicate?

A

Sensation of having a desire to defecate, which is continuous and recurs frequently, with or without the production of significant amounts of faeces
Suggests that there is a persistent mass in the rectum

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9
Q

Why is it important to take note of any bone pains that the patient is complaining about?

A

This may indicate the presence of bone metastases, which can lead to hypercalcaemia, which, in turn, can cause constipation

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10
Q

List some major risk factors for constipation.

A

Past medical history of bowel disease, neurological disorders, back problems or endocrine disease
Family history of bowel disorders
Medications
Diet

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11
Q

List some hereditary disorders that are risk factors for constipation.

A

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)
Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC)
Peutz-Jeghers syndrome

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12
Q

List some classes of medication that are known for causing constipation.

A
Opiates 
Calcium channel blockers 
Iron supplements 
Tricyclic antidepressants 
Anticholinergics
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13
Q

List some features of the abdominal examination that could give clues about the aetiology of the constipation.

A
Virchow’s lymphadenopathy
Abdominal mass
Anal fissures or haemorrhoids
Mass on DRE
Lax anal tone
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14
Q

List some important blood tests that may be useful when investigating a patient with constipation.

A

FBC – colonic cancers can bleed causing anaemia
U&Es and calcium – check for hypokalaemia and hypercalcaemia
TFTs – check for hypothyroidism
Glucose and HbA1c – check glycaemic control to assess risk of diabetic neuropathy

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15
Q

FOBT is used as a screening test for colorectal cancer. Other than colorectal cancer, what else can give a positive FOBT?

A

Colonic angiodysplasia
Polyps
Haemorrhoids
Aspirin, warfarin etc.

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16
Q

Which cancers are the following tumour markers associated with:
CEA
CA19-9
CA125

A
- CEA
Colorectal cancer 
- CA19-9
Pancreatic cancer 
- CA125
Ovarian cancer
17
Q

List and provide a brief description of the forms of imaging that may be used to investigate a patient with constipation.

A

Proctoscopy – visualise anus and rectum
Rigid sigmoidoscopy – visualise as far as the sigmoid colon
Flexible sigmoidoscopy – visualise as far as the splenic flexure and can take biopsies/resect polyps. Requires bowel prep and sedation
Colonoscopy – visualise as far as the ileocaecal valve
Virtual CT colonography – performed in patients who are unable to tolerate colonoscopy
Double contrast barium enema – rarely used now
OGD – if lower GI pathology is not found

18
Q

Outline the treatment options available for constipation.

A
Lifestyle – increase fluid intake and dietary fibre 
Bulk producers 
Stool softeners
Osmotic laxatives 
Peristalsis stimulants 
Enemas
19
Q

Give examples of the following types of laxative:
Stool softeners
Osmotic laxatives
Peristalsis stimulants

A
- Stool softeners
Liquid paraffin 
Arachic oil enema
- Osmotic laxatives
Movicol 
Lactulose
Magnesium salts 
- Peristalsis stimulants
Senna
Glycerol suppositories
Bisacodyl
20
Q

Describe the typical presentation of a patient with hypothyroidism.

A
Young woman with reduced frequency of bowel movements 
Lethargy 
Reduced appetite 
Weight gain 
Cold intolerance 
Features of carpel tunnel syndrome
21
Q

What is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the UK?

A

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (autoimmune)

22
Q

Which antibodies are associated with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis?

A

Anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies

23
Q

Describe the typical presentation of a patient with hypercalcaemia.

A
Polyuria 
Polydipsia
Aches and pains 
Abdominal pain 
Constipation 
Low mood
24
Q

What are the four main causes of hypercalcaemia?

A

Bone metastases
Myeloma
Primary and tertiary hyperparathyroidism
Vitamin D toxicosis

25
Q

How can you differentiate between myeloma and bone metastases as a cause of hypercalcaemia?

A

Myeloma has normal ALP because it activates osteoclasts and inhibits osteoblasts
Osteoblasts produce ALP

26
Q

Describe the action of PTH.

A

Increase calcium and phosphate release from bone

Increase renal excretion of phosphate

27
Q

In a hypercalcaemic patient, why is it abnormal to find a serum PTH that is within the normal range?

A

If calcium is high, PTH should be low because of negative feedback

28
Q

List some causes of hyperparathyroidism.

A
Parathyroid adenoma 
Parathyroid hyperplasia 
Parathyroid carcinoma
PTH-secreting tumour 
NOTE: PTHrP (PTH-related protein) can be secreted ectopically by some tumours
29
Q

Describe the effect of vitamin D on the GI tract.

A

Increase calcium and phosphate reabsorption

30
Q

Will the PTH be low, normal or high in a patient with vitamin D toxicosis?

A

Low

31
Q

List some clinical features of bowel obstruction.

A
Abdominal distension
Tinkling bowel sounds 
Absolute constipation 
Colicky abdominal pain 
Nausea and vomiting
32
Q

What is considered an abnormal diameter of the:
Small bowel
Large bowel
Colon

A

Small bowel - 3 cm
Large bowel - 6 cm
Colon - 9cm

(rule of 3,6,9)

33
Q

What are the distinguishing features of the small bowel and large bowel on an abdominal X-ray?

A

Small Bowel – valvulae conniventes

Large Bowel – haustra

34
Q

What radiological sign is associated with sigmoid volvulus?

A

Coffee bean sign

35
Q

What is Rigler’s sign?

A

When the wall of the bowel is particularly defined due to the presence of air on both sides of the wall
This is caused by bowel perforation causing gas to leak into the peritoneal cavity
It is also called double-wall sign

36
Q

Outline the management of a patient with bowel obstruction.

A

‘Drip and Suck’
Nil by mouth to aspirate stomach contents
IV fluids

37
Q

How is a sigmoid volvulus relieved?

A

A flatus tube is inserted to untwist and decompress the volvulus