Summary of chronic constipation treatment methods

  General comprehensive treatment for patients with chronic constipation: 1, life conditioning: increase the intake of dietary fiber, increase water intake, moderately increase activity, avoid forceful defecation, develop good bowel habits, for patients with dilated colon, attention should be paid to avoid the use of fiber supplements.  2, drug selection: (1) bulking laxatives: the main mechanism for retention of water in the stool, increase the stool water content and stool volume. Such as Oxytetracycline, polycarbophil calcium, wheat bran, etc., should be supplemented with sufficient liquid when taking the drug.  (2) osmotic laxatives: the main mechanism is to form a hypertonic state in the intestine, increase the volume of stool, stimulate intestinal peristalsis, such as polyethylene glycol, lactulose, magnesium sulfate, etc.  (3) Stimulant laxatives: mainly act on the gastrointestinal nervous system to enhance gastrointestinal motility and stimulate secretion, such as bisacodyl, phenolphthalein, castor oil, etc. Long-term use of stimulant laxatives may lead to irreversible gastrointestinal nerve damage, so when choosing laxatives, long-term use of stimulant laxatives should be avoided.  (4) gastrointestinal motility agent: mainly acts on gastrointestinal nerve endings, releasing motor neurotransmitters, antagonizing inhibitory neurotransmitters or acting directly on smooth muscle to increase gastrointestinal tract motility, which has a better effect on functional constipation. Such as domperidone, mosapride, etc.  (5) Pro-secretory drugs: mainly stimulate the secretion of intestinal fluid to promote defecation. Such as lubiprostone, linaclotide, etc.  (6) Enema and suppositories: mainly used for fecal impaction. Through intra-anal administration, lubricating and stimulating the intestinal wall, softening the stool and making it easy to pass, suitable for temporary use in patients with dry stool and fecal impaction.  3.Biofeedback: It is applicable to the paradoxical contraction of sphincter muscle during forceful defecation, which can make the activity of abdominal muscle and pelvic floor muscle group tend to be coordinated during defecation, and pay attention to the reconstruction and adjustment of defecation reflex for patients with abnormal bowel movement.  4, surgery: severe constipation can be considered total colectomy, ileorectal anastomosis, colostomy and other surgical treatment, but pay attention to strictly grasp the indications.  5, psycho-psychotherapy: reasonable psychological guidance and cognitive therapy can make patients have a good state of mind and sleep, thus improving chronic constipation; antidepressant and anxiety medication can be given as appropriate, and if necessary, refer to psycho-psychological specialist for treatment.  6, Chinese medicine: rhubarb and other Chinese medicines can effectively relieve the symptoms of chronic constipation. Acupuncture, massage and massage can promote gastrointestinal tract peristalsis, thus improving constipation.  Special groups of chronic constipation treatment considerations: 1, elderly patients: chronic constipation is more common in the elderly, mostly due to lack of exercise, chronic disease medication history and other triggers, should be appropriate to discontinue the drugs that cause constipation, strengthen exercise, change lifestyle. Laxative preferably volumetric or osmotic laxatives, if necessary, short-term application of moderate amount of stimulant laxatives. For those who have fecal impaction, should first remove the embedded feces.  2, during pregnancy: the causes of constipation in pregnant women are more complex, should be based on increasing dietary fiber, drinking more water and appropriate exercise, drug treatment with volumetric laxatives, lactulose, polyethylene glycol, etc. is relatively safe.  3, type 2 diabetic patients: diabetic patients mostly have neurological changes, constipation is a common digestive tract symptom in diabetic patients, while actively controlling blood sugar, try to use volumetric, osmotic, stimulating laxatives.  4, end-stage tumor: end-stage tumor patients with reduced exercise and eating, the use of opioids can also cause constipation. It is very important to laxative. The combined use of stimulating, osmotic, lubricating laxatives is more effective.  It can be seen that the causes of chronic constipation are complex and influenced by various factors such as dietary structure, lifestyle, psychosocial and social environment. It is necessary to comprehensively integrate its clinical characteristics and individualize the treatment plan in order to make the treatment more scientific and reasonable, thus improving the clinical efficacy of chronic constipation and improving the quality of life of patients.