Gastrointestinal disorders constipation

Irritable bowel syndrome (DBS) is an exceedingly common condition in all societies, characterized by abdominal discomfort or pain in association with altered bowel habit or incomplete stool evacuation, bloating and constipation or diarrhoea, easily go undetected and do not show up with common tests such as blood tests or x-rays. The estimated prevalence in the community is about 10%. Irritable bowel syndrome and its variants, collectively called functional gastrointestinal disorders, constitute 40-50% of all the patients seen by gastroenterologists in Western countries. 

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). 

Brandt L, Schoenfeld P, Prather C, et al. American College of Gastroenterology Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders Task Force. An evidence based approach to the management of chronic constipation in North America. Am J Gastroenterol 2005 100 S1-S21. 

Reproductive disorders Endometrial disorder Leukorrhea Uterine disorder Uterovaginal prolapse Vaginal discomfort Urinary system disorders Micturition frequency Urinary incontinence Gastrointestinal disorders Abdominal pain Constipation... 

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. 

Tamarind seeds also contain small amounts of anti-nutritional factors such as tannins, phytic acid, hydrogen cyanide, trypsin inhibitor activity and phytohaemaglutination activity, (5). The presence of tannins and other coloring matter in the testa make the whole seeds unsuitable for direct human consumption. Therefore, the testa has to be separated from the kernels by boiling or roasting. Otherwise, side effects such as depression, constipation and gastrointestinal disorders may result (Anon, 1976, cited in (5)). Bhatta et al. (2001, cited in (5)), have considered that a natural source of tannin from tamarind seed husks can be used to depress gas production in mmen fermentation, particularly in crossbred dairy cows. 

TABLE 37-2 Modified, with permission, from Kreck MJ Constipation syndromes. In A Pharmacologic Approach to Gastrointestinal Disorders. JH Lewis (ed). Philadelphia, Lippincott Williams Wilkins, 1994. 

Problems with the gastrointestinal system can be vomiting, ingesting toxins, diarrhea, constipation, peptic ulcers, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Each is treatable with the proper medication. In this chapter, you ll leam about common gastrointestinal disorders and the medications that are frequently prescribed... 

Trinitrotoluene Inhalation causes irritation of respiratory passages skin contact can cause dermatitis TNT readily absorbed through the skin and all routes of exposure can cause gastrointestinal disorders (e.g., nausea, anorexia, constipation) and cyanosis Liver damage, anemia, cataracts, neurological disorders. Possible human carcinogen (EPA Group C) 5E-04... 

In the periphery, 5-HT4 receptor mRNA is found in vascular smooth muscle. Newly developed drugs that activate 5-HT4 receptors are of interest for their potential in treating cardiac arrhythmia. The 5-HT4 receptor is also located on neurons of the alimentary tract, for example the myenteric plexus of the ileum, and on smooth muscle cells and secretory cells of the gastrointestinal tract, where they evoke secretions and the peristaltic reflex. 5-HT4 receptor agonists (e.g. cisapride, prucalopride, tegaserod) are used therapeutically in the treatment of constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome and in functional motility disorders of the upper gastrointestinal tract. 

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