Constipation

Constipation

A condition characterised by hardened faeces and difficulty emptying the bowels

Causes

• Dietary: lack of roughage, inadeqaute fluid intake

• In infants: concentrated feeds

• Lack of exercise

• Congenital bowel abnormalities

• Patients being bedridden − especially the elderly

• Certain drugs, eg. narcotic analgesics

Clinical features

• Abdominal discomfort

• Small hard stools passed irregularly under strain

Investigations

X−ray: after barium enema

Management

High dietary fibre

Adequate fluid intake

bisacodyl 10mg at night child 5−12 yrs: 5mg

Contraindicated in acute abdomen as it aggravates the condition

Prevention

• Diet rich in roughage − plenty of vegetables and fruit

• Plenty of oral fluids with meals

• Increased exercise