
Constipation is not easily defined because there is wide inter-individual variation in normal bowel habit (the normal frequency of bowel motions may vary from three times per day to twice per week), but the term implies a diminished frequency of bowel motions and/or the passage of small hard stools.
Causes of constipation are many, and in an individual, may be multifactorial. Causes of constipation include: inadequate fibre intake, dehydration, immobility reduced muscle tone in small/large bowel, pregnancy, carcinoma, dementia, depression, hypercalcaemia and drugs.
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The 2009 RGH E-Bulletins are archived here.
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A joint initiative of the Patient Services Section and the Drug and Therapeutics Information Service of the Pharmacy Department, Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park, South Australia. The RGH Pharmacy E-Bulletin is distributed in electronic format on a weekly basis, and aims to present concise, factual information on issues of current interest in therapeutics, drug safety and cost-effective use of medications.
Editor: Assoc. Prof. Chris Alderman, University of South Australia – Director of Pharmacy, RGH © Pharmacy Department, Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park, South Australia 5041.
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Rivaroxaban is an oral direct factor Xa inhibitor in advanced clinical development for the prevention and treatment of thromboembolic disorders. As clinical use increases for this new drug it is important to be aware of factors influencing its clearance and hence anticoagulant potency. This is particularly important in the early part of the clinical use of a new drug, as sponsored clinical trials may have inclusion and exclusion criteria that might tend to be selective for healthier patients.
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The 2009 RGH E-Bulletins are archived here.
If you like this post and what else you see on the blog please subscribe by RSS feed (the orange button) or by email. Visit my subscription page.
A joint initiative of the Patient Services Section and the Drug and Therapeutics Information Service of the Pharmacy Department, Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park, South Australia. The RGH Pharmacy E-Bulletin is distributed in electronic format on a weekly basis, and aims to present concise, factual information on issues of current interest in therapeutics, drug safety and cost-effective use of medications.
Editor: Assoc. Prof. Chris Alderman, University of South Australia – Director of Pharmacy, RGH © Pharmacy Department, Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park, South Australia 5041.
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factor Xa,
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Rivaroxaban

Vitamin D3 deficiency is associated with muscle pain and weakness, fatigue, reduced bone mineral density and an increased risk of falls and fractures. Vitamin D3 levels decline with advancing age, presumably due to reduced sun exposure and cutaneous synthesis, and impaired renal function.
The recommended daily intake to prevent deficiency in Vitamin D3 replete patients with minimal sunlight exposure is 400 IU for those aged 51-70 years and 600 IU for those >70 years. Patients in residential care may require higher intakes.
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The 2009 RGH E-Bulletins are archived here.
If you like this post and what else you see on the blog please subscribe by RSS feed (the orange button) or by email. Visit my subscription page.
A joint initiative of the Patient Services Section and the Drug and Therapeutics Information Service of the Pharmacy Department, Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park, South Australia. The RGH Pharmacy E-Bulletin is distributed in electronic format on a weekly basis, and aims to present concise, factual information on issues of current interest in therapeutics, drug safety and cost-effective use of medications.
Editor: Assoc. Prof. Chris Alderman, University of South Australia – Director of Pharmacy, RGH © Pharmacy Department, Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park, South Australia 5041.
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Vitamin D

Hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating in response to heat or emotional stimuli, and is classified as primary or secondary depending upon aetiology. Primary focal hyperhidrosis is a chronic idiopathic condition that, when severe, can be debilitating to the person’s professional, psychological and physical well being.
Hyperhidrosis most commonly affects palms, soles and axillae and occurs in about 2 – 3% of the population. The onset is most common in the 2nd and 3rd decades of life. There is some evidence for a genetic link but the cause is unknown. In terms of its pathogenesis, hyperhidrosis is thought to be due to a central abnormality of the hypothalamic sweat centre.
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The 2009 RGH E-Bulletins are archived here.
If you like this post and what else you see on the blog please subscribe by RSS feed (the orange button) or by email. Visit my subscription page.
A joint initiative of the Patient Services Section and the Drug and Therapeutics Information Service of the Pharmacy Department, Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park, South Australia. The RGH Pharmacy E-Bulletin is distributed in electronic format on a weekly basis, and aims to present concise, factual information on issues of current interest in therapeutics, drug safety and cost-effective use of medications.
Editor: Assoc. Prof. Chris Alderman, University of South Australia – Director of Pharmacy, RGH © Pharmacy Department, Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park, South Australia 5041.
Tagged as:
Hyperhidrosis,
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sweating