General Information
Constipation is abnormally infrequent bowel motions and/or pain and difficulty when passing stools. A bowel motion every day is not always necessary. The frequency of bowel movements varies among healthy people, ranging from three times daily to three times weekly. People with constipation may tell of having to strain to pass a bowel motion, which is then usually hard. The condition results from the hardening of stools due to accumulation or compaction of the intestinal contents. Causes of this disorder include diet, irritable bowel syndrome, poor bowel habits, laxative abuse, hormonal distributions, pregnancy, nerve damage.and some medications, e.g., narcotics aluminum-containing antacids, iron supplements, etc. Constipation may indicate hemorrhoids poor
Signs and Symptoms
Accompanying symptoms may include:-
- Headache
- Foul breath
- Furred tongue
- Loss of appetite
- Flatulence
- Irritability
- Abdominal cramps
- Bloating
- Insomnia
- Feeling of unwellness.
Advice to the Customers
- A regular, higher fiber diet (fruit, vegetables, and grain products) is strongly recommended. This should be tied before any laxative is used.
- Regular exercise and physical activities help prevent constipation.
- Drink 8-10 glasses of water or other liquids each day.
- Laxatives should not be Used Over a long period under normal circumstances. Overuse of laxatives may cau8e electrolyte imbalances, which can be dangerous.
- Never resist the urge to defecate.
Prescription Advice
- Instruct the patient on the medication and how to use it properly, i.e name of the medication, frequency of dosage, etc.
- Instruct the patient about the possibility of physiological dependence on long-term use of laxatives.
- In the case where constipation presents much discomfort, or in the event of an exacerbation, instruct the patient to consult a physician immediately
- Discuss Advice to the customers thoroughly for more information on the prevention and management of constipation.