Sedentary Work Exerting up to 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and other sedentary criteria are met.

Light Work Exerting up to 20 pounds (9.1 kg) of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work. Light Work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree. However, if the use of the arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most the time, the job is rated Light Work.

Medium Work Exerting up to 50 (22.7 kg) pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 25 pounds (11.3 kg) of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of forces constantly to move objects.

Heavy Work Exerting up to 100 pounds (45.4 kg) of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds (22.7 kg) of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds (9.1 kg) of force constantly to move objects.

Very Heavy Work Exerting in excess of 100 pounds (45.4 kg) of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds (22.7 kg) of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds (9.1 kg) of force constantly to move objects.

Job Classification

In most duration tables, five job classifications are displayed. These job classifications are based on the amount of physical effort required to perform the work. The classifications correspond to the Strength Factor classifications described in the United States Department of Labor's Dictionary of Occupational Titles. The following definitions are quoted directly from that publication.

Sedentary Work Exerting up to 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and other sedentary criteria are met.

Light Work Exerting up to 20 pounds (9.1 kg) of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work. Light Work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree. However, if the use of the arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most the time, the job is rated Light Work.

Medium Work Exerting up to 50 (22.7 kg) pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 25 pounds (11.3 kg) of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of forces constantly to move objects.

Heavy Work Exerting up to 100 pounds (45.4 kg) of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds (22.7 kg) of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds (9.1 kg) of force constantly to move objects.

Very Heavy Work Exerting in excess of 100 pounds (45.4 kg) of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds (22.7 kg) of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds (9.1 kg) of force constantly to move objects.

Constipation


Related Terms

  • Atonia Constipation
  • Colon Stasis
  • Fecalith
  • Inactive Colon
  • Lazy Colon
  • Obstipation

Differential Diagnosis

  • Colon cancer
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
  • Low thyroid function (hypothyroidism)
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Progressive systemic sclerosis
  • Toxic inflamed colon (Hirschsprung's disease)

Specialists

  • Family Physician
  • Gastroenterologist
  • General Surgeon

Comorbid Conditions

  • Diabetes
  • Diseases of the large intestine, including colon tumors and diverticulitis
  • Hemorrhoids, fissures, or other anorectal lesions
  • Low thyroid function (hypothyroidism)
  • Neurogenic disorders such as Hirschsprung's and Parkinson's disease
  • Obesity
  • Urinary tract infection
  • Urinary tract stones

Factors Influencing Duration

Length of disability depends on the underlying condition.

Medical Codes

ICD-9-CM:
564.00 - Functional Digestive Disorders Not Elsewhere Classified; Constipation, Unspecified
564.01 - Functional Digestive Disorders Not Elsewhere Classified; Constipation, Slow Transit
564.02 - Functional Digestive Disorders Not Elsewhere Classified; Constipation, Outlet Dysfunction
564.09 - Functional Digestive Disorders Not Elsewhere Classified, Other Constipation

Diagnosis

History: Individuals will report problems having bowel movements or complain of hard, dry stools. Sensations of fullness or pressure in the rectum and a frequent urge to defecate are also common. After prolonged constipation, there may be a sense of stomach (epigastric) fullness along with nausea, belching, stomach distention, return of stomach contents into the mouth (regurgitation), or abdominal discomfort. Long-term, untreated constipation may produce headache, dizziness (vertigo), general weakness and discomfort (malaise), loss of appetite (anorexia), or a bad taste in the mouth.

Physical exam: The exam may reveal increased anal canal muscle tone and crack-like lesions on the anus (anal fissures). The individual may also have a distended abdomen and there could be an accumulation (impaction) of hardened, dry (inspissated) feces that can be felt in the area of the lower bowel (rectum, or sigmoid/transverse colon).

Tests: Tests are not ordinarily needed to ascertain that an individual has constipation because the history and physical exam will provide adequate information. However, in some cases, tests may be performed to identify the cause of constipation. Thyroid and parathyroid function tests may be performed along with a test for urinary tract infection. The interior of the colon can be inspected by inserting a flexible optic instrument (endoscope) through the rectal opening and up into the colon (colonoscopy). The colon can also be visualized on x-ray following a barium enema. Functional tests may include measurement of transit time through the colon (colorectal transit time) using radiopaque markers (colonic scintigraphy) or recording abnormal electrical activity of the colon (electromyography). Anorectal morphology and dynamics can be studied during defecation using a barium paste that reproduces stool consistency (defecography).

Source: Medical Disability Advisor






Feedback
Send us comments, suggestions, corrections, or anything you would like us to hear. If you are not logged in, you must include your email address, in order for us to respond. We cannot, unfortunately, respond to every comment. If you are seeking medical advice, please contact your physician. Thank you!
Send this comment to:
Sales Customer Support Content Development
 
This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is published with the understanding that the author, editors, and publisher are not engaged in rendering medical, legal, accounting or other professional service. If medical, legal, or other expert assistance is required, the service of a competent professional should be sought. We are unable to respond to requests for advice. Any Sales inquiries should include an email address or other means of communication.