Why is constipation a common problem for immobilized patients?

Immobilized patients usually experience difficulty pushing to eliminate stool and the longer stool stays in their bowels, the more difficult it becomes to defecate as the large intestine continue to absorb water from the stool. This makes the stool become harder.

Decreased peristalsis and unusual positioning for having a bowel movement using a bedpan promotes and contributes to constipation. In constipation, there is decrease defecation reflex, increase tightening of the anal sphincter and decrease colon motility.

Increase defecation reflex, decreased tightening of the anal sphincter and increase colon motility are not related to constipation.