Constipation: Decrease In The Frequency Of Bowel Movements

When I make really good soup, they have seconds and no leftovers” (J. Lee, personal communication, May 9, 2013). No one in the family has food allergies, diet restrictions or any physical disabilities that interfere with daily food intake. Alcohol consumption is not very popular for this family. Occasional drinks are consumed “maybe five times a year, we just don’t enjoy the taste of alcohol” (S. Lee, personal communication, May 9, 2013). This family member did not experience obvious weight gain or weight loss they were concerned about. All members are very conscientious about physical appearance and do keep healthy active lifestyles and ingest healthy meals. When discussing the function of the bowel and bladder issues, S. Lee says, “We are very regular. My wife and I take Metamucil regularly to keep our bowels active. We suffered several constipations many years back, had to use enemas to eliminate. That was very painful and embarrassing. Metamucil was recommend by our doctor and we never miss taking it. Your mom suffered hemorrhoids for many years until she had them removed. We have no problem going once a day or more sometime” (S. Lee, personal communication, May 9, 2013).

It is normal for a patient to have absent or diminished bowel sounds after a postoperative ileus. Then nurse should ask the patient if they fell nauseous or feel like vomiting because if they do it should be addressed with antiemetic or prokinetic drugs. The nurse should assess for pain and avoid the use of opioid analgesics this will help by not prolonging but minimizing the duration of a postoperative ileus. The nurse should provide the patient with IV fluids until they can tolerate oral fluids to prevent dehydration and for the purpose of maintain fluid and electrolyte balance. The nurse should encourage early ambulation to promote peristalsis. Also, the nurse needs to assess the patient regularly to make sure they pass gas or have a bowel movement because this indicates the return of peristalsis which is a short term goal set for the patient. Once bowel sounds have returned the nurse should encourage the patient to resume to a normal diet to allow the return of normal peristalsis. Now, if the patient is not able to pass gas or have a bowel movement Bisacodyl (Dulcolax) suppositories may be given to stimulate peristalsis and promote the passage of gas or bowel

Increase fiber and water to help with the constipation. Monitor patients ability to swallow and eat. Provide high protein and high caloric foods or supplements to help maintain weight. Use exercise programs such as tia chi

Many people take the efficiency of their digestive system for granted. Imagine having a bowel disorder that impacts your everyday life, by affecting your weight and hygiene, impacting the foods you are able to eat, decreasing your energy levels, causing severe colicky pain, at times making you feel awkward around others, and suddenly sending you to the bathroom in the middle of important events. Not only does it uncomfortably affect those aspects of a person’s life, but frequently becomes a serious health issue that if uncontrolled may land you in the hospital. Imagine having to take expensive medications everyday that are supposed to keep you from having your disorder flare up, but then those medications cause uncomfortable

To prevent or treat constipation while you are taking prescription pain medicine, your health care provider may recommend that you:

Different causes and cofactors of constipation should be assessed by performing an exhaustive patient assessment. After modifiable daily life routine has been changed, the first line of treatment should start with simple and inexpensive laxatives, if it fails opioids reduction treatment and also opioids antagonist may be used. It is important to always focus on the patient perceptions and culture. The review of literature has shown significant results about the use of pretreatment with laxatives, but not antiemetic, to reduce the incidence of OIC among patients. Therefore, it is important to create awareness among nurses and all healthcare practitioners about this important issue so as to promote early intervention and premedication to prevent OIC among

Straining frequently while passing stool can bring about piece of the rectum — the end of the large intestine — to project outside the anus (rectal prolapse). At the point where this happens in children, it might be an indication of cystic fibrosis.

First, it is key for the client to eliminate high gas, high fat, and gluten from the diet, and this signifies that the ingestion of carbonated drinks, spices, wheat, barley, rye, and certain vegetables should be eradicated for the time being. Additionally, fiber supplements such as psyllium (Metamucil) or methylcellulose (Citrucel), may help to prevent the bowel from becoming constipated; actually, incorporating more fiber into the diet will help stimulate the bowels. On the other hand, pharmacological interventions have proven to be constructive in addition to nonpharmacological ones. Alosetron (Lotronex) is advised in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea for women who have had presentations of symptoms lasting longer than 6 months. Providers should enlighten clients that therapeutic effects should appear within one to four weeks. Additionally, there is the option of Amitiza. Lubriprostone (Amitiza), indicated for constipation on the other hand, increases fluid secretion in the intestine to promote intestinal motility (Roberts, 2013).

Health care providers use the Rome Criteria, which is a group of the most common symptoms that characterize IBS. The Rome Criteria includes abdominal discomfort during the span of several months or longer that is associated with at least two of the following: “the pain or discomfort is relieved by defecation, the pain or discomfort is associated with an increase or decrease in stool frequency, and/or the pain or discomfort is associated with the stools becoming harder or softer in consistency” (International). After the Rome Criteria is concluded, the provider must look for signs and symptoms that are suggestive of a condition other than IBS, such as inflammatory bowel disease or celiac disease. These signs and symptoms have been referred to as “red flags”, which include: rectal bleeding, iron-deficiency anemia (IDA), weight loss, family history of colon cancer, fever, and age of onset after age

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) was once known as having a spastic colon. A gastrointestinal disorder which often changes from constipation for a while then diarrhea for a time. This is not always the case though. Some people who have IBS can suffer only from constipation which is chronic in nature. Other people with this syndrome have chronic diarrhea. When you suffer from this it matters not what your symptoms to it are, what matters is the cause. With different symptoms different treatments are used to provide some relief. Let us consider the symptoms of constipation due to Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Perform a digital stimulation and empty your bowel. If you are performing a digital stimulation when the symptoms first appear, stop the procedure and resume after the symptoms subside.

Short Term Goal: Client will identify measures that prevent or treat constipation by end of shift. Client will state relief from discomfort of constipation by 31 October 2015. Client will maintain passage of soft, formed stool every 1 to 3 days without straining by 31 October 2015 (Ackley & Ladwig, 2014).

Slow movement of stool through the colon is what usually cause constipation. The lack of fiber and water can also cause

For example, if constipation is a frequent problem, you may need to increase your fiber intake or use a stool softener regularly. The best option is to discuss how to manage your bowel issues with your healthcare provider.

I found it quit intriguing that so many factors could play into the reasoning why someone would be or could become constipated. Although I have never really contemplated this issue before I do realize now that this could be a very distressing telling issues for a patient. Also, a health care provider/ member can interpret a lot from a patients bowel movements and stool observations. Although allopathic medicine can be used to relieve or produce the bowel movement there are several things that a patient can do with their diets to avoid the risk of constipation. Some of the things one can implement in their diet are fibers, greens, and more water daily. Things to decrease, but not eliminate from one's diet would include chocolate, bananas,