Children - Constipation Flashcards
1
Q
Symptoms
A
- Difficulty or straining when passing stools
- Passing stools less often than normal
- Difficult to pass
- Stools that are hard and perhaps very large
2
Q
Associated symptoms
A
- Tummy ache
- Poor appetite
- Nausea
- Irritable, unhappy
- Fidgeting, restlessness and other signs that the child needs to go to the toilet
3
Q
Red flag symptoms
A
- Severe abdominal pain
- Severe pain on defaecation
- Rectal bleeding or blood-stained stool
- Vomiting
- Persisting constipation despite increased dietary fibre, fluid intake/failed treatment with lactulose
4
Q
Idiopathic causes of constipatoin
A
- Common
- Various factors may be involved: diet, stool holding, emotional
- But can be for no known reason
5
Q
Constipation due to an underlying disease or condition
A
- Uncommon
- Some neurological conditions
- Hypothyroidism
- CF
- A side-effect of certain medications
6
Q
Treatment
A
- Osmotic laxative - Lactulose
- Bulk forming laxative - Fybogel Hi Fibre
- Dulocolac suppositories
Continue medication at maintenance dose for several weeks after regular bowel habit is established
7
Q
Lactulose
A
- Takes 48 hours to work
- sweet tasting and suitable for long term use will only work if child drinks enough water or drink
- NOT SUITABLE FOR: diabetics, under 14
8
Q
Fybogel Hi fibre
A
- increased fibre is needed in your diet to relieve constipation
- Drink straight away, preferably after meals
- 6+
9
Q
Dulcolax suppositories
A
- 10-30 minutes
- SUITABLE FOR: 4 +
- CI: Diuretic, steroid med, other laxatives
- NOT SUITABLE: preg
- Should not be used everyday for more than 5 days
10
Q
Refer
A
Treatment failure
red flags
