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Constipation is a condition marked by the passage of stools less often than thrice a week or is characterized by difficulty in passing stools, which may involve straining, the formation of hard stools, or the feeling of incomplete evacuation. It can be quite a nuisance and cause other complications if not treated. Some factors predisposing one to constipation include a poor diet (e.g., low fiber intake), inadequate fluid intake, and a sedentary lifestyle, among others (Włodarczyk et al., 2021). It is also crucial to know that some drugs, including opiates, NSAIDs, and antacids with aluminum, or the natural aging process of people, can lead to constipation.
According to the assessment, R. H. notes a change in bowel habits to bowel movements that are less frequent than usual, with one bowel movement within a week in the last month. It is accompanied by straining while defecating, taking at least 10 minutes to defecate, and passing hard stools, all of which indicate constipation. Some other symptoms of constipation that R. H. did not report include abdominal pain, a feeling of rectal blockage, and rectal bleeding (Diaz et al., 2023). This, coupled with her reduced mobility through lack of daily walks, could have been attributed to the symptoms since exercise helps keep her bowels moving.
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Write my essaySome recommendations that can be made for patients with constipation include the following: It is therefore important to eat fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to increase dietary fiber intake. Fluid intake should be proper, and it is recommended that one should take at least eight glasses of water per day. Light exercises such as walking can also encourage bowel movement; hence, regular exercise is recommended (Sharma et al., 2021). It is recommended to set a schedule for defecation, for example, after eating, and to spend adequate time on this process without hurrying (Bharucha & Lacy, 2020). Laxatives and stool softeners bought without a prescription may help for a short period, but using them for an extended period requires consulting a healthcare provider.
The presented information shows that R. H. is constipated, but there is no clear sign of anemia. However, if constipation is accompanied by gastrointestinal bleeding or impaired absorption of nutrients, then anemia might be a complication (Sharma et al., 2021). Nevertheless, she does not report any pain or rectal bleeding, and she had a negative colonoscopy for any lesions or tumors. Based on her age and the fact that her symptoms are long-term, it is advisable to keep monitoring her condition. However, it would still be advisable to look out for anemia signs like fatigue, pallor, or shortness of breath, and obtain a complete blood count (CBC) if there is suspicion.
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- Bharucha, A. E., & Lacy, B. E. (2020). Mechanisms, Evaluation, and Management of Chronic Constipation. Gastroenterology, 158(5). https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2019.12.034
- Diaz, S., Bittar, K., & Mendez, M. D. (2023). Constipation. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513291/
- Sharma, A., Rao, S. S. C., Kearns, K., Orleck, K. D., & Waldman, S. A. (2021). Review article: Diagnosis, management and patient perspectives of the spectrum of constipation disorders. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 53(12), 1250–1267. https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16369
- Włodarczyk, J., Waśniewska, A., Fichna, J., Dziki, A., Dziki, Ł., & Włodarczyk, M. (2021). Current Overview on Clinical Management of Chronic Constipation. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 10(8), 1738. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10081738
