Bowel Elimination
GI Tract is a series of hollow mucous membrane- lined muscular organs
Purpose is to absorb fluids and nutrients, prepare food for absorption and provide storage for feces
Feces: semisolid mass of fiber, undigested food, and inorganic material
● straining to result in hemorrhoid formation
● When fecal material reaches the rectum and causes it to distend
● Stretch receptors initiate contraction of sigmoid colon/ rectal muscles
● Internal anal sphincter relaxes
● Sensory impulses cause voluntary “bearing down”
● External sphincter relaxes
Flatus Formation
● Air swallowing
● Diffusion of gas form bloodstream into intestines
● Bacterial action on unabsorbable CHO (Beans)
● Fermentation of CHO (cabbage, sauerkraut onions)
● Can stimulate peristalsis.
● Adult forms 400 – 700 ml of flatus daily
Factors affecting Bowel Elimination
Age – older adults have decreased chewing ability.
● Peristalsis declines
● Esophageal emptying slows down
, ● Absorption by the intestinal mucosa slows
● Sphincter becomes weakened = incontinence
Diet – fiber is needed in diet to help maintain a regular pattern of peristalsis in the colon
● Fresh fruit, whole grains, vegetables
● Cabbage, Cauliflower broccoli or beans produce gas
Fluid intake – fluid intake helps to promote peristalsis
Physical activity – promotes peristalsis, immobility depresses bowel elimination
● Encourage early ambulation when patient starts to feel better
● Is the individual active ?
Psychological factors – prolonged emotional stress (anxiety) impairs function causing acceleration of
digestive process and peristalsis (diarrhea)
● Depression can lead to decreased peristalsis = constipation
Personal habits – irregular bowel habits , ignoring the urge to defacte
Pregnancy – can lead to hemorrhoids due to straining
● Constipation is common in the third trimester
Surgery – Anesthesia causes paralytic ileus, a cessation of bowel peristalsis
● Peristalsis returns passing gas/belching or burping
Position during defecation –
● Immobile Patients in the supine position have difficulty.
● If a patient’s condition permits, raise the head of the bed to help them to sit in a more normal
squatting position with a bed pan.
Pain
● Discomfort results in constipation
GI Tract is a series of hollow mucous membrane- lined muscular organs
Purpose is to absorb fluids and nutrients, prepare food for absorption and provide storage for feces
Feces: semisolid mass of fiber, undigested food, and inorganic material
● straining to result in hemorrhoid formation
● When fecal material reaches the rectum and causes it to distend
● Stretch receptors initiate contraction of sigmoid colon/ rectal muscles
● Internal anal sphincter relaxes
● Sensory impulses cause voluntary “bearing down”
● External sphincter relaxes
Flatus Formation
● Air swallowing
● Diffusion of gas form bloodstream into intestines
● Bacterial action on unabsorbable CHO (Beans)
● Fermentation of CHO (cabbage, sauerkraut onions)
● Can stimulate peristalsis.
● Adult forms 400 – 700 ml of flatus daily
Factors affecting Bowel Elimination
Age – older adults have decreased chewing ability.
● Peristalsis declines
● Esophageal emptying slows down
, ● Absorption by the intestinal mucosa slows
● Sphincter becomes weakened = incontinence
Diet – fiber is needed in diet to help maintain a regular pattern of peristalsis in the colon
● Fresh fruit, whole grains, vegetables
● Cabbage, Cauliflower broccoli or beans produce gas
Fluid intake – fluid intake helps to promote peristalsis
Physical activity – promotes peristalsis, immobility depresses bowel elimination
● Encourage early ambulation when patient starts to feel better
● Is the individual active ?
Psychological factors – prolonged emotional stress (anxiety) impairs function causing acceleration of
digestive process and peristalsis (diarrhea)
● Depression can lead to decreased peristalsis = constipation
Personal habits – irregular bowel habits , ignoring the urge to defacte
Pregnancy – can lead to hemorrhoids due to straining
● Constipation is common in the third trimester
Surgery – Anesthesia causes paralytic ileus, a cessation of bowel peristalsis
● Peristalsis returns passing gas/belching or burping
Position during defecation –
● Immobile Patients in the supine position have difficulty.
● If a patient’s condition permits, raise the head of the bed to help them to sit in a more normal
squatting position with a bed pan.
Pain
● Discomfort results in constipation
