Constipation Cheat Sheet

University:
The University Of Western Ontario
Course:
MED 5161 | Principle of Medicine
Academic year:

2025
Views:

436

Pages:

3
Author:

Kyuwon J.

Constipation ● Less then 3 bowel movements per week ● Hard stools ● Straining ● Sensation of incomplete emptying ● Blockage Cause-Primary ● Normal-transit constipation ○ Common ○ Stools dry or hard ● Slow-transit constipation ○ Colonic motility decreased ● Defecatory disorder ● Pelvic floor dyssynergia ○ Unable to coordinate push ○ Cannot relax Cause-Secondary ● Diet ○ Low fiber ○ Low fluids ● Behavior ○ Low activity ○ Ignoring urge ○ Routine changes ○ Travel ● Medications ○ Opioids ○ Anticholinergics ■ Some allergy meds ■ Tricyclics ○ Iron supplements ■ May make stool dark ○ Calcium channel blockers ■ Verapamil ○ Antipsychotics ○ Antiemetics ■ Ondansetron ● Meds ○ Hypothyroidism diabetes ■ Autonomic ■ Hypercalcemia ○ Parkinson’s ○ MS ○ Spinal cord issues ○ Pregnancy ● Structure of colorectal cancer ○ Strictures ○ Fissure pain ■ Stool withholding Significant s/smx ● Following s/smx needs for urgent assessment ○ Blood in stool/melena ○ Unintentional wt loss ○ Fever ○ Systemic illness ○ Severe abdominal pain ○ ○ ○ ○ ■ Could be progressively worsening Vomiting ■ Possibility of obstruction Constipation newly seen ■ If persistent ■ Change in stool caliber Anemia ■ FHx of colon cancer or IBD No gas or stool with severe cramps ■ May need to concern about obstruction