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Topic: Constipation, difficult to pass stools

1. Fact Sheet: Disorders Related to Excessive Pelvic Floor Muscle Tension

   109

   By: Jeanette Tries, PhD, OTR

   Disorders which have excessive pelvic floor muscle activity as their primary feature are often not recognized and diagnosed by physicians. However, millions of people suffer from such disorders and associated symptoms of disabling pain and disruptions in bowel and bladder control. Unfortunately, individuals with these disorders frequently seek help for many years before receiving any explanation for, or relief from their disturbing symptoms. The purpose of this article is to briefly explain the role of the pelvic floor muscles and some symptoms related to the presence of elevated tension in these muscles, and to describe various treatment options available.

   Topics: Constipation, difficult to pass stools, Lower Abdominal Pain, Pelvic Pain, Pain Management, Pelvic floor disorders
   Non-Member Price: $0.99

2. Fact Sheet: Physiological Testing of the Colon, Rectum and Anus

   111

   By: Bruce A. Orkin, MD

   Often a diagnosis of a functional GI disorder can be made based on a history and physical examination. Sometimes exxtensive testing may be needed to find a cause. A review of tests used to examine bowel structure and function.

   Topics: Bowel urgency, Constipation, difficult to pass stools, Incontinence, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Lower Abdominal Pain, Pelvic Pain, Motility, Tests, lower GI tract
   Non-Member Price: $0.99

3. Fact Sheet: Biofeedback & Bowel Disorders: Teaching Yourself to Live without the Problem

   112

   By: Mary K. Plummer, OTR, BCIA-PMBD; Jeanette Tries, PhD, OTR

   Biofeedback is a neuromuscular reeducation tool we can use to tell if certain processes in our bodies are working correctly. It is a painless process that uses a computer and a video monitor to display bodily functions that we usually are not aware of. Special sensors measure these functions, which are displayed as sounds we can hear, or as linegraphs we can see on a computer screen. A therapist helps us use this displayed information to modify or change abnormal responses to more normal patterns such as increasing a response, decreasing a response, or learning to coordinate two responses more effectively.

   Topics: Bowel urgency, CAM, Complementary & Alternative Treatments, Constipation, difficult to pass stools, Diarrhea, loose stools, Incontinence, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Lower Abdominal Pain, Pelvic Pain, Pelvic floor disorders
   Non-Member Price: FREE

4. Fact Sheet: Evaluation and Treatment of Constipation

   118

   By: M. Scott Harris, MD

   Constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal complaints in the United States. It afflicts approximately 1 in 6 individuals and is responsible for approximately 2.5 million physician visits each year. More than $400 million is spent annually on over-the-counter laxatives; at least 120 of these products are available. The management of constipation includes patient education about bowel function and diet, behavior modification, drug therapy, and infrequently, surgery.

   Topics: Constipation, difficult to pass stools
   Non-Member Price: $0.99

5. Fact Sheet: Visceral Sensations and Brain-Gut Mechanisms

   127

   By: Emeran A. Mayer, MD

   Over the past several years, different mechanisms located within the gut, or gut wall have been implicated as possible pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying the characteristic IBS symptoms of abdominal pain and discomfort. The list ranges from altered transit of intestinal gas, alterations in the colonic flora, immune cell activation in the gut mucosa, and alterations in serotonin containing enterochromaffin cells lining the gut. For those investigators with a good memory, these novel mechanisms can be added to an older list of proposed pathomechanisms, including altered gut motility ("spastic colitis") and alterations in mucus secretion.

   Topics: Brain-Gut, Constipation, difficult to pass stools, Diarrhea, loose stools, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Lower Abdominal Pain, Pelvic Pain
   Non-Member Price: $0.99