COSTIPATION

Constipation means hard stools, difficulty in passing out stool( straining), or a sense of
incomplete emptying after a bowel movement.
Constipation occurs when a person has difficulty in emptying large bowel. Some describe it as
having fewer than 3 bowel movement in a week.it is one of the common digestive problems
Constipation can happen for many reasons, e.g when stool passes through the colon too slowly.
The slower the food moves through digestive tract, the more water in the colon will absorb and
the harder the feces will become

CAUSES OF COSTIPATION
The following are some causes
1. Lack of fiber in diet fruits,vegetables,whole grains,lentils, legumes e.t.c. fiber promotes
regular bowel movement
2. Physical inactivity: studies shows that low level of physical activity may lead to
constipation
3. Reduced or decreased in fluid intake
4. Some medications e.g opiod pain relief drugs e.g codeine, oxycodone,hydromorphine,
certain anticonvulsants, diuretics e.t.c
5. Over use of laxative
6. Colorectal problems e.g cancerous tumor, scar tissue colorectal stuture which is an
abnormal narrowing of the colon or rectum.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF COSTIPATION

 Infrequent bowel movement
 Straining to have bowel movement
 Hard or small stool
 Sense of incomplete evacuation after bowel move,ent
 Lower abdominal discomfort
 Possible aggravation of diverticular disease
 Hemorrhoids, rectal prolapse
 Anal bleeding or fissures from the trauma caused by hard stool.

NURSING INTERVENTION/ RESPONSIBILITIES

 The key to treating most patient with constipation is correction of dietary deficiencies
which generally involves increasing intake of fiber and fluid and decreasing the use of
constipation agents e.g milk products, alcohol, coffee e.t.c
 Increase in fluid and fruits intake
 Regular exercise
 Avoid holding stools
 Enema or suppositories

Medication
 Bulk-forming agents (fibers e.g psyllium)
 Emollient stool softeners ( e.g docusate) best use for short-term prophylaxes
 Rapidly acting lubricants e.g mineral oil) use for acute or subacute management of
constipation
 Stimulant laxatives( e.g senna)