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Constipation - Management
How should I manage short duration constipation in adults?
- Adjust any constipating medication, if possible.
- Advise the person about increasing dietary fibre, drinking an adequate fluid intake, and exercise.
- Offer oral laxatives if dietary measures are ineffective, or while waiting for them to take effect.
- Start treatment with a bulk-forming laxative (adequate fluid intake is important).
- If stools remain hard, add or switch to an osmotic laxative.
- If stools are soft but the person still finds them difficult to pass or complains of inadequate emptying, add a stimulant laxative.
- Advise the person that laxatives can be stopped once the stools become soft and easily passed again.
In depth
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