Elderly First Aid Handbook Book A

Page 59

Constipation

Background

Constipation refers to difficulty in passing stools. It can be caused by inadequate fiber or fluid intake, inadequate physical activities, intestinal diseases or diseases such as overactive parathyroid, scleroderma (a connective tissue disease), Parkinsonism, stroke and diabetes. Medications such as antacid and overuse of laxatives can also cause constipation.

Constipation can be complicated by fecal impaction, in which the rectum becomes filled with large, dried and hardened masses of stool that cannot be passed. It may be further complicated by precipitating urine retention.

Abdomen

57


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Ear Nose Throat

2min
pages 79-81

Extreme Temperature - Too Cold

1min
pages 76-78

Heat Stroke

1min
pages 74-75

Extreme Temperature - Too Hot

1min
page 73

High Fever

1min
pages 70-72

Acute Urine Retention

2min
pages 65-66

Urinary Tract Infection

2min
pages 67-69

Dehydration

2min
pages 61-64

Constipation

1min
pages 59-60

Vomiting

2min
pages 56-58

Abdominal Pain

2min
pages 53-55

Acute Asthmatic Attack

2min
pages 45-48

Choking

2min
pages 49-52

Shock

1min
pages 42-44

Syncope

1min
pages 40-41

Angina

2min
pages 37-39

Cardiovascular System

2min
pages 35-36

Depression and Suicide

3min
pages 30-34

Head Injury

2min
pages 27-29

Seizure

1min
pages 25-26

Stroke

2min
pages 23-24

Process of Ageing

2min
pages 6-10

Automated External Defibrillator (AED

1min
pages 18-19

Recovery Position

0
pages 20-22

Basic Life Support

1min
page 11
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