Page 52 - Community pharmcy practice E-book 2025
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01/11/2025, 22:08 Medication Errors & Constipation Management
Constipation Management and the Pharmacist
Role
What is Constipation?
Decrease in the frequency of fecal elimination (3 times daily to 3 times week)
It results from abnormally slow movement of feces through the colon with a
resultant accumulation in the descending colon
Mass media » interruption in the GOOD LIFE »
Common Myth
Bowel Regularity
Myth: Bowel regularity means a bowel movement every day.
Fact: False - The frequency of bowel movements among normal, healthy people
varies from three a day to three a week, and some perfectly healthy people fall
outside both ends of this range. Nevertheless, even three bowel movements a day
can be abnormal in someone who usually has one bowel movement a day.
When is Constipation Considered?
FDA monograph definition:
Infrequent bowel movements (typically 3 times or fewer / week
Straining to have a stool (difficulty during defecation) The passage of hard, dry stool
Feeling of incomplete bowel evacuation
Signs and Symptoms
Fewer than three spontaneous bowel movements per week
Straining in defecation attempts
Lumpy or hard stool
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