

Hormonal changes during pregnancy or menstruation can also lead to constipation. These factors may include a low-fiber diet, inadequate water intake, a sedentary lifestyle, certain medications, such as opioids and anticholinergics, and medical conditions like diabetes, hypothyroidism, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

CausesĬonstipation can be caused by various related factors that affect bowel function. Chronic constipation can lead to fecal impaction, fecal incontinence, hemorrhoids, rectal prolapse, and anal fissure. If left untreated, constipation may progress to a more serious problem. About 33 out of 100 adults ages 60 and above have symptoms of constipation (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases).Ĭonstipation can be attributed to many causes such as mechanical factors, medications used, presence of comorbidities, and impaired rectal sensory-motor dysfunction. It is a common gastrointestinal symptom affecting many individuals and contributes to frequent hospitalizations every year.

Administering pharmacologic interventionsĬonstipation is when bowel movements become less frequent than normal and is accompanied by the difficult or incomplete passage of stool.Discover assessment, nursing diagnosis, care planning, goal setting, and intervention strategies for constipation nursing care plans. Learn about constipation and how nurses can improve patient outcomes. Developing a nursing care plan for constipation requires a thorough understanding of the condition.
