Here is a quick mnemonic “CONSTIPATION MANAGER“ to remember about Constipation Management
This can be valuable for patients as well as medical doctors, nurses & students doing their clinical rounds. You can also find it very useful for med exams like USMLE, NExT Medical Step 1&2, MBBS, NEET PG, INI-CET, FMGE,MCAT & NCLEX exams
Constipation Management : How To Remember Easily ?
C – Careful history-taking: Explore the patient’s symptoms and confirm constipation.
O – Obtain dietary and medication history.
N – Note psychosocial issues and address them.
S – Perform a physical examination, including rectal examination.
T – Test for weight loss, rectal bleeding, or anemia.
I – Investigate with flexible sigmoidoscopy, barium enema, or colonoscopy.
P – Preferably, consider colonoscopy for patients aged >40 years.
A – Assess for melanosis coli and other unexpected disorders through colonic radiographs.
T – Test serum calcium, potassium, and thyroid-stimulating hormone levels.
I – Initiate bowel-training regimen if fiber alone is not sufficient.
O – Optimize evacuating techniques, such as osmotic laxatives and enemas.
N – Never strain excessively to prevent complications.
M – Monitor response to treatment and consider novel agents if needed.
A – Address severe or intractable constipation with gastroenterologist referral.
N – Note the importance of evaluating physiologic function and psychological status.
A – Aid in rational treatment choices based on evaluation results.
G – Gather further information on colonic transit and pelvic floor function.
E – Explore evacuation disorder possibility before assessing colonic transit.
R – Referral for tertiary evaluation if necessary.
Mnemonic : CONSTIPATION MANAGER
