Sections View Full Chapter Figures Tables Videos Annotate Full Chapter Figures Tables Videos Supplementary Content ++ Spastic colonIrritable colonMucous colitisSpastic colitis ++ 564.1 Irritable bowel syndrome ++ 315.4 Developmental coordination disorder718.45 Contracture of joint, pelvic region and thigh719.70 Difficulty in walking728.2 Muscular wasting and disuse atrophy728.89 Disorders of muscle, ligament, and fascia729.9 Other disorders of soft tissue780.7 Malaise and fatigue782.3 Edema786.0 Dyspnea and respiratory abnormalities ++ K58.9 Irritable bowel syndrome without diarrhea ++ As of January 2013, the APTA Guide to Physical Therapist Practice does not include practice patterns for organ system pathology; therefore, the associated or secondary musculoskeletal, cardiovascular/pulmonary, or potential neuromuscular patterns would be indicated. +++ Description ++ There is a broad array of GI disorders that may be encountered by physical therapistsWhile physical therapists may not manage GI disorders specifically, many clients may have GI pathology and be receiving care as a result of secondary problems such as weakness, gait abnormalities and limited aerobic enduranceThey may be acute, post-operative, chronic, viral, bacterially related, or congenital/hereditary1Abdominal pain and altered bowel habits without pathologyConsidered a disorder and not a diseaseComplaints often include changes in bowel habits such as constipation, diarrhea, bowel urgency, bloating, incontinence, and crampingPain is frequently referred to the low backDoes not result in permanent damage to colon and is not inflammatorySymptoms may come and go or, in some cases, disappear +++ Essentials of Diagnosis ++ Abdominal pain; constant or intermittent historyROME CriteriaAbdominal pain over course of 12 weeks, not necessarily continuous weeksAt least 2 of the following:A change in the frequency or consistency of the bowelsStraining, urgency or a feeling that the bowels will not completely emptyMucus in the stoolBloating or abdominal distensionDiarrhea or constipationBloatingPossible rectal bleedingRectal/anal irritationAcute falls in blood pressure, which may result in decrease blood flow to intestinesInability to swallowLack of appetiteUnexplained weight lossAbdominal pain related to ingesting foodPossible joint painsDark stool or bright red blood in stoolMalaise/fatigueCramping +++ General Considerations ++ Diagnosis for more occult problems may take time and require intensive medical diagnostic testingGI disorders occur cross the lifespan; birth through geriatricMay result in secondary problems such as aerobic capacity and muscle endurance impairment, sarcopenia, weakness/impaired muscle performance, musculoskeletal problems, neuromuscular problems, weight loss or weight gain, indicating the need for physical therapy intervention depending on severityBecause GI disorders frequently refer pain to other body areas, individuals may get referred to PT inappropriately, such as when referred to the low backGI problems may be commonly related to stress or constipation, more serious problems such as autoimmune conditions like Crohn’s, or acute pain indicative of appendicitisIn adults females, GI complaints may actually be related or indicative of cancer or tumors in the reproductive organs, ... Your Access profile is currently affiliated with '[InstitutionA]' and is in the process of switching affiliations to '[InstitutionB]'. Please click ‘Continue’ to continue the affiliation switch, otherwise click ‘Cancel’ to cancel signing in. Get Free Access Through Your Institution Learn how to see if your library subscribes to McGraw Hill Medical products. Subscribe: Institutional or Individual Sign In Username Error: Please enter User Name Password Error: Please enter Password Forgot Password? Forgot Username? Sign in via OpenAthens Sign in via Shibboleth