Children A number of factors can alter a child's bowel habits, including unavailable toilet facilities; emotional distress; febrile illness: chronic medical conditions (e.g., cystic fibrosis and hypothyroidism); family conflict: dietary changes (e.g.. switching from human to cow's milk); or a change in daily routine or environment. Some children are poor or picky eaters, which may contribute to the development of constipation due to inadequate bulk and fluids in the diet. Constipation associated with an organic or pathologic etiology is uncommon in children." Bowel movement patterns vary widely in children; therefore constipation can be a complex problem that is often difficult to detect and manage. Selected Laxative Products Trade Name Primary Ingredients Bulk-Forming Laxatives Citrucel Powder Methylcellulose 2 g/tsp Citrucel Sugar Free Powder Methylcellulose 2 g/tsp FiberCon Tablets Calcium polycarbophil 625 mg Maltsupex Liquid Barley malt extract 750 mg/tsp Metamucil Fiber Wafer Psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid 3.4 g/2 wafers Metamucil Read more [...]

Bulk-Forming Laxatives Dietary fiber and bulk laxatives with adequate fluid intake are the most physiologic and safest of medical therapies. However, they may be counterproductive in patients with idiopathic slow transit constipation or with constipation associated with irritable bowel syndrome because they often worsen bloating and abdominal distension in these populations. Dietary Fiber Dietary fiber in cereals contain cell walls that resist digestion and retain water within their cellular structures, whereas those found in citrus fruits and legumes stimulate the growth of colonic flora and increase fecal mass. Wheat bran is the most effective fiber laxative with a clear dose response on fecal output. Patients with poor dietary habits may add 2 to 4 tablespoons of bran to each meal, followed by a glass of water or another beverage. A laxative effect may not be observed for 3 to 5 days. Patients should be cautioned that large amounts of bran can cause abdominal bloating or flatulence; therefore, they should start with small amounts and titrate slowly to the desired effect. Psyllium (Metamucil), Read more [...]

A treatment for constipation is especially relevant for consumers that suffer on a regular basis or cannot bear attendant symptoms. For the overall health it is important to have a regular bowel movement. If a healthy diet, lots of exercise and common "cures" such as prunes and fluids require several days to take effect and sometimes don't work at all, it might be necessary to take a laxative to restore regularity. It sometimes might be necessary to visit the doctor to diagnose the cause of constipation. Diagnosis If warning signs exist, the doctor should be consulted. Numerous hormonal disturbances, metabolic disorders and various drugs can cause constipation. Metabolic disorders include diabetes mellitus, an under-active thyroid, reduced potassium or increased calcium levels in the blood. Drugs that can cause constipation include antihypertensive agents, cardiac drugs, iron tablets, antidepressants, hypnotics and diuretics. If these causes can all be ruled out, so-called functional disturbances of spontaneous intestinal motility are generally responsible in 80 to 90 percent of cases. Read more [...]

Q: Our 3-year-old boy has had a problem with constipation. His doctor has checked him out and didn't find anything unusual. He recommends giving him one to two teaspoons of mineral oil in orange juice at bedtime to ease the constipation. My questions are: What's causing this problem? Are there any other options for treatment? If I give our son mineral oil repeatedly, do we run the risk of lazy bowels? Is there any basis to claims that mineral oil inhibits the body's ability to process vitamins? A: The first step is to make sure that all you're dealing with is simple constipation, which is a common problem in young children. Then you can decide what treatment to use. One of the most common causes of constipation is lack of adequate fiber or water in the diet. Another common cause is irregular bowel habits, sometimes stemming from painful bowel movements. For example, if your child becomes constipated for any reason and has a hard time moving his bowels, he may develop an anal fissure -- a small tear in the anal opening. This painful condition will make him not want to move his bowels, which Read more [...]

Q. I occasionally have a problem with constipation, and fortunately it usually clears up by itself. But if I ever should need to take something for it, what should I take? I've noticed all kinds of laxatives, stool softeners and other treatments for constipation at the drug store, but I'm not sure what works best. Also, should I ever be concerned about what's causing the constipation? A.Many people have constipation from time to time, and it's usually not a sign of anything wrong. Every now and then, however, it can be a clue to an underlying problem with your intestines, even something as serious as cancer. So if your constipation is severe or persistent, check with your doctor to make sure nothing serious is going on. Oddly enough, there's no universally accepted definition of constipation. For some people, it means moving your bowels less often than usual; for some it means having painful or difficult bowel movements. And for others, it's both. Even excluding serious problems, there can be many reasons why you're constipated. These include being inactive, not drinking enough fluids Read more [...]

Monroe Community Hospital "Effects of Dietary Fiber - LiquaFiber™ - on Replacing Bowel Medications and Psyllium Fiber use in Long Term Care Residents" This clinical trial was performed at Monroe Community Hospital in Rochester, New York. Monroe Community Hospital is a 560-bed long-term care facility that has a unique patient mix. The facility has residents of all ages, from children as small as infants to the elderly. The facility boasts one of the finest Alzheimer's units in the country and has a high speed transitional care unit that offers wonders in a variety of therapies. This study began on March 1st and ran until April 20th . Problem Like most long- term care facilities MCH faces the everyday problems associated with constipation and bowel management. One of the contributing factors is the difficulty of patients obtaining the Recommended Daily Allowance of fiber. The products available require large amounts of liquid to be ingested which is very difficult for residence to consume on a consistent basis. The patients are afflicted with taste fatigue and refuse the treatment, hence Read more [...]

Senna is an anthraquinone stimulant laxative that is used to treat constipation and for bowel evacuation before investigational procedures or surgery. Preparations UK: Ex-Lax; Nylax with Senna; Senokot; Sure-Lax US: Black-Draught; Dosaflex; Dr Edwards Olive; Evac-U-Gen; Ex-Lax; Fletchers Castoria; Lax Pills; Little Tummys Laxative; Maximum Relief Ex-Lax; Senexon; Senna Smooth; Senna-Gen; Senokot; Senokotxtra; X-Prep Drug Nomenclature Synonyms: Alexandriai szenna termés (senna pods, Alexandrian); Plod kasie úzkolisté (senna pods, Tinnevelly); Plod kasie ostrolisté (senna pods, Alexandrian); Sen; Senų lapai (senna leaf); Senų vaisiai (senna pods, Alexandrian); Sennabalja, Tinnevelley- (senna pods, Tinnevelley); Sennabalja, alexandrinsk (senna pods, Alexandrian); Sennanpalko, Aleksandrian (senna pods, Alexandrian); Sennanpalko, Tinnevelleyn (senna pods, Tinnevelley); Sennový list (senna leaf); Siauralapių senų vaisiai (senna pods, Tinnevelly); Szennalevél (senna leaf); Tinevelly szenna termés (senna pods, Tinnevelly) CAS: 8013-11-4 ATC code: A06AB06 Read code: y01Rq Description. Read more [...]

Palo Alto Medical Foundation A Sutter Health Affiliate Constipation is a common problem experienced by many patients and can be caused by chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, stress, or medications. Please do not be afraid or embarrassed to call your doctor or nurse at any time; if left untreated the constipation may get worse and not improve on its own. Many chemotherapy and anti-nausea medications cause constipation, so when starting chemotherapy take a stool softener like Ducosate every day unless otherwise directed. You must drink plenty of fluids when taking any laxatives for them to work effectively. Over the counter medication management of constipation: To prevent constipation or to soften hard stools start: If your stools are still hard after taking Colace for two days: If your stools are still hard after increasing Colace for two days: Take Colace® (generic name is Ducosate) stool softener 10Omg once in the evening. Increase the Colace® to twice a day. Continue taking the Colace® to twice a day. Add Senokot® (generic name is Senna) laxative 1-2 tablets Read more [...]

CSA – Cheboygan Surgical Associates Definition Small, hard stools. Bowel movements (B.M.'s) may be infrequent and passing them may be difficult, painful or impossible. You may also have bloating or cramping. • Mild Constipation: no bowel movements for 1-2 days longer than usual • Moderate Constipation: no bowel movements for 2-3 days longer than usual • Severe Constipation: no bowel movements for 4-5 days longer than usual Causes Disease, side effects of treatment, decreased activity, lack of liquid in the diet and emotional stress can all cause constipation. Constipation is also caused by medications, such as: Darvocet Duragesic Patch Norco Tylenol #3 & #4 Darvon Kytril Percocet Tylox Demerol Lortab Percodan Vicodin Dilaudid Morphine Sulphate Roxanol Zofran Duramorph M.S. Contin Roxicet Prevention If possible, try to increase the amount of liquids you drink. Make some dietary changes, such as increasing fruits, vegetables and bran, and decrease starchy foods such as white bread, cakes and cheese. Many people find hot Read more [...]

• outline the defecation reflex; • describe the factors that contribute to the development of constipation; • discuss the pharmacological management of constipation; • outline the side effects associated with the use of laxatives. Mr Benjamin is a 75-year-old man with no close relatives who has lived alone since he lost his wife three years ago. He has become increasingly frail over the past two years. He cooks infrequently, eats little fruit and almost no vegetables. Mr Benjamin rarely visits his friends or the shops; if he goes for a walk, it is a short one, as he is now frightened of the traffic. He has severely restricted his intake of fluids in the evening and has even cut out his cup of hot milk before bed, as he does not want to visit the toilet during the night. Mr Benjamin has never had any gastrointestinal complaints in the past, but recently he has not opened his bowels for more than two weeks. His doctor has advised him to drink more fluids and has prescribed lactulose. Describe the normal process of defecation. Faecal material usually remains in the colon for Read more [...]