Non Fharmacological Approach to Constipation Management: Aromatherapy
5th International Conference on Multidisciplinary Studies in Health Sciences, Ankara, Türkiye, 23 - 25 Eylül 2022, ss.51-52, (Özet Bildiri)
- Yayın Türü: Bildiri / Özet Bildiri
- Basıldığı Şehir: Ankara
- Basıldığı Ülke: Türkiye
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.51-52
- Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Constipation is a very common symptom that affects individuals of all ages. Constipation; it can be defined as hard stool, abdominal and rectal pain, feeling of fullness in the rectum, spending a long time on the toilet, the necessity of intense straining, inability to fully empty the intestines, and the low number of stools. Although constipation is a common problem, if it is not treated and it can cause many complications including fecal incontinence, anal fissures, bowel perforation, gas and bloating. For constipation management, pharmacological, non-pharmacological and surgical treatment methods can be used. Pharmacological and surgical treatment costs are quite high. Considering the cost and complications of pharmaceutical treatment, the tendency to use non-drug methods such as complementary medicine and traditional medicine has increased. The main non-pharmacological methods generally used in constipation treatment are lifestyle changes including increasing physical activity, liquid consumption and fiber consumption. In addition, biofeedback, acupressure, reflexology and abdominal massage are other preferred methods for constipation management. Abdominal massage, which is one of the effective non-pharmacological methods in the management of constipation, has an important place in nursing care and is an independent nursing intervention. Aromatic oils increase the effectiveness of abdominal massage. When aromatic oils are applied together with abdominal massage, the blood vessels in the dermis are dilated, facilitating the absorption of fat and allowing the oils to pass into the blood circulation more. Thus, aromatherapy massage increases the effectiveness of care by combining the positive effects of aromatic oils and massage, and reduces constipation and symptoms related to constipation. Studies show that the use of aromatherapy is an effective treatment method in the management of constipation. For instance, it was determined that aromatherapy massage applied to elderly individuals experiencing constipation softened stool consistency, decreased constipation severity, and reduced symptoms associated with constipation. In the same line, another study performed on patients who suffered from cancer showed that aromatic abdominal massage reduced constipation in these patients. Similarly, another study reported that abdominal massage using rosemary oil, sweet lemon, black pepper, and sweet marjoram was effective in controlling constipation among the elderly individuals who were suffering from heart attack. Studies on aromatherapy massage application have been conducted with various populations, various oils and various application frequencies and period. Studies have indicated that aromatherapy massage effectively reduces constipation and associated signs and symptoms and can be applied as an independent nursing intervention.
Keywords: Constipation, Aromatherapy, Amotherapy massage, Nursing