is not currently PBS-listed . Prucalopride successfully increases the |
significantly more efficacious than placebo for chronic constipation and |
material in the rectum . A negative digital rectal examination does not rule |
for distal impaction if hard stool can be palpated in the rectal area . 59 |
39 , 59 large volumes of fluids at a time . Address possible aetiologies fol- |
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frequency of spontaneous bowel |
irritable bowel syndrome-constipa- |
out a proximal impaction and thus , an |
For proximal impaction , oral lav- |
lowing treatment , and institute pre- |
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movements per week in all varia- |
tion subtype . 58 |
abdominal X-ray is indicated . 47 |
age with polyethylene glycol solu- |
ventive therapy to avoid recurrence . 59 |
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ble doses from 1mg to 4mg . There are no significant adverse events recorded , even in older people , and the most common was headache . 57 Linaclotide has limited approval for import and supply in Australia ; however , it has been shown to be |
Management of faecal impaction
Faecal impaction is suggested by a history
of constipation with overflow diarrhoea . 39 A digital rectal examination may find copious volumes of faecal
|
If the faecal impaction is distal , then the use of enemas and suppositories can be helpful . The enema is best delivered with a Foley catheter past the hardened stool , with ample water in conjunction with oral laxatives . 59 Manual disimpaction is also an option |
tions containing electrolytes may be used . This technique is contraindicated in bowel obstruction . In older people , the volume of oral regimens is often reduced ( 0.2-1L ) compared with younger adults ( 1-2L ) as older people may not be able to tolerate |
PROGNOSIS
CONSTIPATION significantly impacts quality of life . Studies involving older individuals have demonstrated that those with chronic constipation tend to have lower scores in various
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