Question

explain the pathophysiology of constipation in your own words and list typical signs, symptom and lab to assess. What is the worst possible or most likely complication to anticipate for patients with constipation. Which body system you will most thoroughly assess due to constipation and what will you assess for?

Answer 1

Ans.

Pathophysiology of constipation--

CONSTIPATION. The causes of constipation are varied and may be multifactorial. The common approach groups constipation into primary and secondary causes. Primary causes are intrinsic problems of colonic or anorectal function, whereas secondary causes are related to organic disease, systemic disease or medications.

Signs and symptoms of chronic constipation include:

• Passing fewer than three stools a week
• Having lumpy or hard stools
• Straining to have bowel movements
• Feeling as though there's a blockage in your rectum that prevents bowel movements
• Feeling as though you can't completely empty the stool from your rectum
• Needing help to empty your rectum, such as using your hands to press on your abdomen and using a finger to remove stool from your rectum.

The tests that may be conducted to evaluate constipation include: Colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy. The doctor inserts a tube, outfitted with a tiny camera, into the rectum and colon to look for any abnormalities.

Complications of chronic constipation include:

• Swollen veins in your rectum (hemorrhoids). Straining to have a bowel movement may cause swelling in the veins in and around your rectum.
• Torn skin in your rectum(anal fissure). A large or hard stool can cause tiny tears in the anus.
• Stool that can't be expelled (fecal impaction). Chronic constipation may cause an accumulation of hardened stool that gets stuck in your intestines.
• Intestine that protrudes from the rectum (rectal prolapse). Straining to have a bowel movement can cause a small amount of the rectum to stretch and protrude from the rectum.

Body system affected by constipation--

Problems with the nerves around the colon and rectum

Neurological problems can affect the nerves that cause muscles in the colon and rectum to contract and move stool through the intestines. Causes include: Damage to the nerves that control bodily functions (autonomic neuropathy)