Constipation is a widespread problem although its subjective nature can mean that diagnosis and treatment can be difficult as there is often a mismatch between patients’ and clinicians’ view of the condition. Constipation is widely believed to include unsatisfactory defecation, infrequent stools and/or difficult stool passage. Thorough patient assessment and promotion of continence issues are imperative to improving services for people with constipation. This article highlights how breaking social taboos around bladder and bowel issues, helping people to acknowledge bowel issues, and referring them to the appropriate specialist nurse-led services will all help to provide a more accurate and timely diagnosis of constipation.
Alison Briant describes the role of community nurses in raising awareness of breast awareness guidelines.
Amira Obeid gives an overview of a case study which involved the management of atopic eczema in a four month old baby
Amira Obeid MSc, ANP, BSc (Hons), RN, RM, RHV, DPS: N (CHS), FETC, CIDC, CHD Dip, ENB 8103, 7310, is a Nurse Practitioner, Lordswood Surgery, Birmingham
Article accepted for publication: January 2004
