Constipation diseases associated with

Constipation is a common complaint of patients seeking medical attention, and about one-third of patients with constipation seek medical treatment. Constipation occurs in approximately 20% of the population.2 Approximately 2.5 million physician visits and 90,000 hospitalizations per year in the United States are due to constipation3,4 Many medications and some disease states are associated with constipation. Constipation is associated with high socioeconomic costs and has considerable quality-of-life ramifications.5... 

Prior to this work, dietary fiber, of which ceUulose is oae of the more important constituents, was considered important primarily as a means of preventing or overcoming constipation. Otherwise, dietary fiber was considered to be a metaboHcally iaert substance. A large variety of diseases such as appendicitis, hiatus hernia, gallstones, ischemic heart disease, diabetes, obesity, dental caries, and duodenal ulcers are now suspected to be associated with the consumption of a highly refined diet (42). 

A laxative is most often prescribed for the short-term relief or prevention of constipation. Certain stimulant, emollient, and saline laxatives are used to evacuate the colon for rectal and bowel examinations. Fecal softeners or mineral oil are used prophylactically in patients who should not strain during defecation, such as after anorectal surgery or a myocardial infarction. Psyllium may be used in patients with irritable bowel syndrome and diverticular disease. Fblycarbophil may be prescribed for constipation or diarrhea associated with irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulosis. Mineral oil is... 

As would be expected, khat overuse produces symptoms similar to those of other monoamine stimulants, such as cocaine or amphetamine, including signs of sympathetic overarousal. In the extreme this can involve a toxic psychosis. Disorders more frequently associated with chronic khat use in males are headaches, anorexia, insomnia, constipation, and respiratory illnesses (Kennedy et al. 1983). Females report higher incidences of acute gastritis, jaundice, bronchitis and hepatic diseases. Also, cathinone has toxic reproductive effects in humans and experimental animals (Islam et al. 1990). It decreases sperm count and motility, and increases the number of abnormal sperm cells. It also decreases plasma testosterone in rats. 

Psyllium Useful in patients with irritable bowel syndrome and diverticular disease. Polycarbophil For constipation or diarrhea associated with conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulosis acute nonspecific diarrhea. 

In severe acute disease parenteral steroids and other immuno-suppressants, ciclosporin, and infliximab may be required. There is little evidence to support the use of any accessory treatments. Constipation associated with colonic dysfunction may be helped by a high fibre diet but this will have no intrinsic effect on the inflammation. In severe acute exacerbations of extensive disease, fluid replacement intravenously and blood transfusion may be needed. 

Pathophysiologically, constipation generally results from disordered colonic transit or anorectal function as a result of a primary motility disturbance, certain drugs, or in association with a large number of systemic diseases that affect the gastrointestinal tract. Constipation from any cause may be exacerbated by chronic illnesses that lead to physical or mental impairment and result in inactivity or physical immobility. Additional contributing factors may include a lack of fiber in the diet, generalized muscle weakness, and possibly stress and anxiety. 

Anticholinergics (e.g. cyclizine and cinnarizine) are useful and efficacious but can cause drowsiness, which limits long-term use in the elderly. They also cause classic anticholinergic symptoms of dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, etc., which can be troublesome in the elderly in general. In addition, constipation is commonly associated with Parkinson s disease, and unsteadiness... 

A strategy for controlling pain caused by malignant disease has been outlined and the classic effects that can be associated with opioid administration have been reviewed (6). These include constipation, nausea, sedation, pruritus, urinary retention, myoclonus, and respiratory depression. The latter can be life-threatening. Particular care is needed in opioid-naive individuals, those with compromised respiratory function, and elderly patients. 

In humans, mild side-effects include muscle weakness, sedation, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, constipation, increased urinary frequency and hypotension (Plumb 1995). Dantrolene should not be used in horses with pre-existing liver disease, cardiac dysfunction or pulmonary disease. In the horse, preanesthetic administration of dantrolene has been associated with prolonged postanesthetic recumbency (Valverde et al 1990). 

Osteoporosis is the most prevalent metabolic bone disease in the United States and results in 1.5 million fractures each year. Osteoporosis is associated with an increased risk for vertebral, hip, and distal forearm fractures. At age 50, women have a lifetime fracture risk (any of the above three sites) of about 40%. Men have a lifetime fracture risk of approximately one third that of women. Since trabecular bone turns over at five to seven times the rate of cortical bone, fractures of bones that are predominantly trabecular (vertebra and distal forearm) occur earlier in life. One third of women older than 65 years suffer vertebral crush fractures. Vertebral crush fractures can occur acutely and result in disabling pain and discomfort. Long-term complications include immobility and loss of height. Secondary problems include protuberant abdomen, chronic constipation, and loss of self-esteem. Fractures of bone with more cortical bone (proximal femur or hip) occur later in life. For women, the lifetime risk of hip fracture is 15%. The mortality rate accompanying hip fracture may be as high as 20%. Twenty-five percent of the survivors are confined to long-term care... 

Structure/function claims state that a product may affect the structure or function of the body (e.g., calcium builds strong bones, antioxidants maintain cell integrity, fiber maintains bowel regularity), but may not claim that a therapy can prevent or cure a disease (e.g., alleviates constipation). Traditional nutrients refers to vitamins and minerals considered essential to the diet and/or to correct a classical nutritional deficiency disease. For example, foods containing vitamin C to correct scurvy or vitamin D to alleviate rickets are not functional foods. However, soy, w hich contains soy protein and is associated with a reduced cardiovascular risk, is a functional food. 

The adverse effects associated with the use of verapamil include constipation, sinus node blockade, prolongation of the PR interval, AV dissociation, hypotension, and pulmonary congestion." The risks may outweigh the benefits in patients with (1) a markedly elevated pulmonary capillary wedge pressure or pulmonary artery occlusion pressure, (2) a history of paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea or orthopnea, (3) sick sinus syndrome or significant AV nodal disease in the absence of a permanent pacemaker, (4) low systolic blood pressure, and (5) a substantial outflow gradient.Verapamil should be avoided inpatients with heart failure owing to systolic dysfunction. There is no evidence that either /3-blockade or verapamil protects the patient from sudden cardiac death. 

D. Toxicity Adverse effects of ketanserin are those of alpha blockade and Hj blockade. The toxicides of ondansetron, granisetron, and dolasetron include diarrhea and headache. Dolasetron has been associated with QRS and QT prolongation in the ECG and should not be used in patients with heart disease. Alosetron caused significant constipation in some patients. 

Dietary fibers exert both functional and metabolic effects, which make them important components of the diet. In addition to the increase of satiety and improvement of bowel function and disorders associated with it (constipation and diverticulosis), the intake of fibers with food has been related to the reduction in the risk of major chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, thanks to the reduction of cholesterol, of glucose in the blood and of insulin. ... 

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