Constipation affects the GI tract but can arise from broader causes, as the system-based approach shows
A
B
C: CARDIOVASCULAR
- Volume depletion: dehydration
D: NEUROLOGIC
- myeLopathy: spinal cord lesion
E: ENDO
- Electrolyte: hypercalcemia, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia
- hOrmones: diabetes, hypothyroid
F: PELVIS
- Pregnant
G: ABDOMINAL
- No motion: obstruction, tumour
H
I: INTOX
- Ingest: narcotic
- N
- Treat: opioid, iron, diretic, anti-Parkinsons, anticholinergic
Putting this together
- A
- B
- C: rehydrate
- D: neurological exam
- E: measure electrolytes, consider hormones
- F
- G: r/o obstruction: Xray +/- CT
- H
- I: consider exposures
