Laxatives constipation

Because many elderly persons experience constipation, laxative use is sometimes viewed as a normal part of daily life. However, mineral oil can be a special hazard in bedridden elderly persons because it can lead to pneumonia through inhalation of oil droplets into the lungs. Lactulose may be a better choice in this situation. Regular use of any laxative that affects fluid and electrolytes may result in significant unwanted adverse effects. 

N.A. Cinnamic acid, gallic acid, emodin, rhein, rhein anthrones, catechin, anthraquinone compounds, tannin, calcium oxalate.99-100-107-510-511 Treat diarrhea, stimulate appetite, chronic constipation, laxative, cathartic. 

CONSTIPATION The nurse checks the bowel elimination pattern daily because constipation can occur with repeated doses of a narcotic. The nurse keeps a daily record of bowel movements and informs the primary health care provider if constipation appears to be a problem. Most patients should begin taking a stool softener or laxative with the initial dose of a narcotic analgesic. Many patients need to continue taking a laxative as long as the narcotic analgesic is taken. If the patient is constipated despite the use of a stool softener, the primary health care provider may prescribe an enema or another means of relieving constipation. 

B. Take a daily laxative because die drug will likely cause constipation. 

If you experience constipation, drink plenty of fluids, eat a high-fiber diet, and exercise (if your condition allows). If constipation persists, the primary health care provider may prescribe a mild laxative or stool softener. 

The magnesium- and sodium-containing antacids may have a laxative effect and produce diarrhea Ahiminum-and calcium-containing products tend to produce constipation. Some of the less common but more serious adverse reactions include ... 

There are various types of laxatives (see the Summary Drug Table Dm Used in the Management of Gastrointestinal Disorders). The action of each laxative is somewhat different, yet they produce the same result—the relief of constipation (Display 48-1). 

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... 

Constipation may occur as an adverse drug reaction. When the patient has constipation as an adverse reaction to another drug, the primary care provider may prescribe a stool softener or another laxative to prevent constipation during the drug therapy. Display 48-2 lists the names of some dm and drug classifications that may cause constipation. 

LAXATIVES. The nurse records file results of administration on the patient s chart. If excessive bowel movements or severe prolonged diarrhea occur or if file laxative is ineffective, the nurse notifies file primary health care provider. If a laxative is ordered for constipation, the nurse encourages a liberal fluid intake and an increase in foods high in fiber to prevent a repeat of this problem. 

Magnesium-containing products may produce a laxative effect and may cause diarrhea aluminum- or calcium-containing antacids may cause constipation magnesium-containing antacids are used to avoid bowel dysfunction. 

Avoid long-term use of these products unless use of tiie product has been recommended by the primary health care provider. Long-term use may result in tiie laxative habit, which is a dependence on a laxative to have a bowel movement. Constipation may also occur with overuse of these dru . Read and follow the directions on the label. 

Ms. Harris, age 76 years, tells you that she has been using various laxatives for constipation. She states that a laxative did help, but now she is more constipated than she was before she began taking a laxative. Discuss what advice or suggestions you would give this patient. 

DOSS itself is used as a laxative and cermumenolytic drug [71]. It is included in over-the-counter hematinic vitamin and mineral preparations to counteract the constipating effect of the iron contained in these products. In combination with anthrachinones, widespread use as catharic and emollient laxative is indicated [71-75]. 

Lifestyle modifications should be employed prior to the use of laxatives in most instances of constipation. 

Oral laxatives are the primary pharmacologic intervention for relief of constipation. 

Oral laxatives are the primary pharmacologic intervention for relief of constipation (Table 18-2). There are several different drug classes, as described below. 

Polyethylene glycol (PEG, MiraLax) is an osmotic laxative available only by prescription. It is useful in patients who are experiencing acute constipation and who have had inadequate response to more traditional agents. Principal adverse effects include upset stomach, bloating, cramping, and gas. 

Slow-transit constipation can be treated with chronic administration of osmotic laxatives. Tegaserod maleate 6 mg orally twice daily is an acceptable treatment. Senna, bisacodyl, and other stimulants should be used only when the others fail to deliver the desired effect. 

Laxatives may provide appropriate relief when constipation occurs during the postpartum period, when not breastfeeding and in immobile patients. Patients who are not constipated but who need to avoid straining (e.g., patients with hemorrhoids, hernia, or myocardial infarction) may benefit from stool softeners or mild laxatives. 

Laxatives should not be given to children younger than 6 years of age unless prescribed by a physician. Because children may not be able to describe their symptoms well, they should be evaluated by a physician before being given a laxative. Treating secondary causes may resolve the constipation without the use of laxatives. As in adults, children benefit from a healthy balanced diet, adequate fluid, and regular exercise. 

Develop a plan to assess the effectiveness of laxative use in cases of chronic constipation. 

A 70-year-old man complains of small, hard stools for the past 2 weeks. He also states that his bowel movements are less frequent than normal and that he has not had constipation previously. He has a history of hypertension, angina pectoris, and osteoarthritis and began a new medication 3 weeks ago. He asks for your recommendation of a laxative. 

Bowel symptoms in MS patients can include both fecal incontinence and constipation. Fecal incontinence is difficult to treat. Some patients may have improvement if they use a regular schedule for emptying the bowel with laxative suppositories or enemas. Alternatively, antidiarrheal medications such as loperamide can be used.14... 

Opiates Monitor patients for sedation and depressed cognition. Address constipation with use of stimulant laxatives. 

Abuse of laxatives can lead to a number of health problems, including imbalances in the levels of minerals (electrolytes) in the body, which can lead to dehydration, tremors, weakness, blurry vision, and kidney damage. Laxatives can also change the way nerve endings in the colon work, which can cause the laxative abuser to need more laxatives to have a bowel movement. Other problems with the digestive system that can result from laxative abuse include an increased risk of colon infection (resulting from a loss of the protective cover that lines the colon), rectal pain, gas, and severe constipation. Finally, laxative abuse may lead to both cancerous and noncancerous tumors in the bowel. 

For most nonhospitalized persons with acute constipation, the infrequent use (less than every few weeks) of most laxative products is acceptable however, before more potent laxative or cathartics are used, relatively simple measures may be tried. For example, acute constipation may be relieved by the use of a tap-water enema or a glycerin suppository if neither is effective, the use of oral sorbitol, low doses of bisacodyl or senna, or saline laxatives (e.g., milk of magnesia) may provide relief. 

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