| Term |
Definition |
|
Analgesics
|
Analgesics are a class of drug also known as painkillers. Opioids fall into this class of medicine. |
| Bowel movement |
A bowel movement is when faeces are released from the body. |
|
Constipation
|
Constipation is diagnosed at an individual level. For an accurate diagnosis there should be an element of reduced frequency of bowel movements, increased consistency of stool and difficulty in passing faeces. |
Faecal
impaction |
Faecal impaction occurs when solid, immobile stool obstructs the bowel, often as a result of chronic constipation. |
|
Laxatives
|
Laxatives are foods, compounds, or medicines taken to induce bowel movements or to loosen the stool and are usually taken to treat constipation. |
| Motility |
Motility is the ability of the bowel to move spontaneously. |
| Opioids |
Opioids are important medicines commonly prescribed to relieve pain and other symptoms. They are a type of painkiller and include medicines such as morphine and codeine. |
| Opioid-induced constipation |
Opioid-induced constipation (OIC), is a condition of constipation caused by opioid painkilling medicines (see constipation definition) |
| Palliative Care |
The World Health Organisation defines Palliative Care as ”an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial and spiritual." |
| Suppository |
A solid bullet shaped preparation inserted into the back passage to deliver the contents of a medicine such as a laxative to its local site of action |
| Enema |
A method for delivering liquid medicines such as certain laxative preparations to the large bowel via the back passage |