Obstipation in the adult

Extract

• Rule out acute intestinal occlusion (total obstipation, pain, vomiting, visible peristalsis, swelling of the abdomen).
• Refer patients with suspected organic disease for further investigations (pain, bloody stools, change in bowel habits, systemic symptoms, chronic obstipation in a young person).
• Idenfity overflow diarrhoea as a symptom of obstipation.
• Identify drugs as a cause of obstipation.
• Start prophylactic medication for obstipation in patients who receive strong opioids for pain.
• Give written instructions.

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Adult, Bowel movement, Bowel movements, Bulk laxatives, Chronic constipation, Clysma, Constipation, Defecation, Enema, Gastroenterology, Hard stools, Hirschsprung disease, Internal medicine, K59.0, Laxatives, Macrogol, Obstipation, Osmotic laxatives, Polyethylene glycol, Stool frequency, Surgery