Alternative Methods for Chronic Constipation
Disciplines
Alternative and Complementary Medicine | Family Practice Nursing | Geriatric Nursing | Other Nursing
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Background: Hospitalized patients, especially older patients, experience constipation which negatively affects their quality of life. However, during their hospitalization, the focus is often the reason for admission and minor health problems are often not prioritized. As a student nurse during the clinical experience, I met numerous patients with complaints of symptoms that are related to constipation. The majority of the time, laxatives are prescribed to those patients, but it was not effective for all. Objectives: The purpose of this project is to find safe and effective alternative methods to help patients restore their normal bowel movement and relieve discomfort or pain that may have been caused by chronic constipation. The evidence in the studies (Konradsen et al., 2022; Noiesen et al., 2014) found that there is an increased use of laxatives during hospitalization which shows the prevalence of constipation. A correlation with the use of opioid medication, immobility, changes in environment and diet are possible reasons for the increase in complaints of constipation, which are all unavoidable factors during hospitalization. Kayoma et al. (2022) and Seyyedrassoli et al. (2016) suggest non-pharmacological and non-invasive methods such as prune juice and abdominal massage that showed positive outcomes such as improvements of stool frequency and consistency for patients suffering from chronic constipation. Methods: Prune juice and abdominal massages will be administered to each patient whom have passed fewer than three stools a week. Results: After receiving prune juice and abdominal massages, the patients should show active bowel movements within 24 hours and a decrease of symptoms such as pain or discomfort related to chronic constipation.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
Nursing
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Melissa Chason
Additional Faculty
Christie Emerson, cemerson@kennesaw.edu
Alternative Methods for Chronic Constipation
Background: Hospitalized patients, especially older patients, experience constipation which negatively affects their quality of life. However, during their hospitalization, the focus is often the reason for admission and minor health problems are often not prioritized. As a student nurse during the clinical experience, I met numerous patients with complaints of symptoms that are related to constipation. The majority of the time, laxatives are prescribed to those patients, but it was not effective for all. Objectives: The purpose of this project is to find safe and effective alternative methods to help patients restore their normal bowel movement and relieve discomfort or pain that may have been caused by chronic constipation. The evidence in the studies (Konradsen et al., 2022; Noiesen et al., 2014) found that there is an increased use of laxatives during hospitalization which shows the prevalence of constipation. A correlation with the use of opioid medication, immobility, changes in environment and diet are possible reasons for the increase in complaints of constipation, which are all unavoidable factors during hospitalization. Kayoma et al. (2022) and Seyyedrassoli et al. (2016) suggest non-pharmacological and non-invasive methods such as prune juice and abdominal massage that showed positive outcomes such as improvements of stool frequency and consistency for patients suffering from chronic constipation. Methods: Prune juice and abdominal massages will be administered to each patient whom have passed fewer than three stools a week. Results: After receiving prune juice and abdominal massages, the patients should show active bowel movements within 24 hours and a decrease of symptoms such as pain or discomfort related to chronic constipation.