This two-part article aims to help healthcare professionals understand constipation; the possible causes, and the anatomical and functional problems. In the first part, the author explained anatomy and physiology of the lower gastrointestinal tract, what are normal bowel motions, frequency and variation, which includes the Bristol Stool Chart to view the types of bowel motions sufferers may often experience. Here, the focus is on conservative treatment interventions for constipation, exploring the four ‘Fs’ acronym (Rex, 2013): fibre (in diet); fluids (those best for health reasons); fitness (‘if you do not move, it will not move’); and finally feet, which relates to the best sitting position to help achieve bowel evacuation successfully.
Bowel dysfunction is a common problem for adults and children, and yet many people do not seek help and when they do it is not up to standard. Unmanaged symptoms impact on the health of the patient, both physically and mentally, and add extra cost to the NHS. This article, by a clinical nurse specialist working with people suffering from bladder and bowl dysfunctions, will help healthcare professionals understand the possible causes of anatomical and functional bowel problems, especially constipation, and the conservative treatment interventions. This first article in a two-part series, explains anatomy and physiology of the lower gastrointestinal tract, what constitutes a normal bowel habit, frequency and variation. The second will focus on the causes of constipation, which are often misunderstood and misdiagnosed, and how they can be assessed and managed, as well as treatment options available.
Functional bowel disorders such as faecal incontinence and constipation are relatively common conditions, which have a significant negative impact on patients. This can often affect the social, psychological and financial areas of life, as well as leading patients to become isolated due in part to the social taboo surrounding bowel issues (Lukacz et al, 2011; Holroyd, 2015a). Constipation can affect up to 25% of the population at some point in their lifetimes (Belsey et al, 2010), and it is a condition that crosses all genders, ages and cultures, although it is more prevalent in the very young or older adults (Holroyd, 2015b).
Constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal problems experienced by the general population, with an estimated UK prevalence of 52 per cent. Despite this, constipation is often both misdiagnosed and under-treated both in children and adults. This paper will look at the issues and suggest specific management strategies for addressing constipation in both the general adult population and these apparently vulnerable groups.
June Rogers MBE, RN, RSCN, BA(Hons), MSc, ENB 216, ENB N01, ENB 978. PromoCon Team Director, Disabled Living Manchester.
Article accepted for publication: January 2013
Nick Puffett examines the management of constipation using natural remedies.
Nick Puffett RN, DN, BSc Hons, BA Hons (Nursing), HE Dip. Cancer Nursing is a Community Nurse/Clinical Nurse Specialist, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.
Article accepted for publication: August 2003
