Question

There is no minimum or maximum length expectation for this portion of the assignment. I expect you to communicate as concisely as possible, and recognize that this will require different lengths of responses for each individual.

1. In one to two sentences, explain the general process of osmosis. What is the mechanism by which osmosis aids in relieving constipation?

2. Why might stimulant laxatives cause colicky abdominal pain? What type of pain is being experienced when colicky abdominal pain is described?

3. Consider the normal physiology of bowel elimination; each agent works differently on the underlying altered physiology. In two to four sentences, explain briefly how osmotic laxatives, stimulant laxatives, and enemas are similar in their mechanism for relieving constipation, and how they differ.

Answer 1

Osmosis is a process in which crossing of a substance is seen through semipermeable membrane to another substance to balance it's concentration.

Osmosis gently attracts water into colon and hydrates,softens and eases stool. in this process the still increases in size and the bowel triggering the defecation reflex is stimulated by the streched wall.

2)People with sensitive bowels may suffer from colicy abdominal pain when they are stimulated with stimulant laxatives.

The colicky abdominal pain is described as the sharp localised urinary or gastrointestinal pain.They describe the pain as abruptly raising and comes and go in spasm like waves.