Constipation Flashcards
1
Q
Constipation
A
Defecation that is unsatisfactory because of infrequent stools, difficult stool passage or seemingly incomplete defecation
2
Q
Features
A
Passage of hard infrequent stools
3
Q
Complications
A
Overflow diarrhoea
Acute urinary retention
Haemorrhoids
4
Q
Causes
A
Dehydration
Low-fibre diet
Medications (opiates)
Anal fissure
Hypothyroidism
Hirschsprung’s disease
Hypercalcaemia
Learning disabilities
5
Q
Management
A
Correct reversible contributing factors
Laxative (movicol first line)
Faecal impaction may require a disimpaction regimen with high dose laxatives at first
