What is Constipation?

What is Constipation?

• Constipation: Difficult or dry bowel movements.
• Constipation: Constipation; irregular and infrequent or difficult evacuation of the bowels.
  Source - Diseases Database
• Constipation: irregular and infrequent or difficult evacuation of the bowels; can be a symptom of intestinal obstruction or diverticulitis.
  Source - WordNet 2.1

Constipation: Introduction

Types of Constipation:

Types of Constipation:

• Common constipation - occasional constipation
• Chronic constipation
• Travel-related constipation
• Age-related constipation
• Pregnancy-related constipation
• Chronic idiopathic constipation
• Functional constipation
• more types...»

Broader types of Constipation:

• Digestive Diseases
• Anal conditions
• Anorectal disorders
• Rectal conditions
• Pregnancy-related conditions
• Bowel conditions
• Colon conditions
• more types...»

How many people get Constipation?

Prevalance of Constipation: 4.4 million people in the USA 1983-87 (Digestive diseases in the United States: Epidemiology and Impact – NIH Publication No. 94-1447, NIDDK, 1994)
Prevalance Rate of Constipation: approx 1 in 61 or 1.62% or 4.4 million people in USA [about data]
Prevalance of Constipation: According to the 1991 National Health Interview Survey, about 4 1/2 million people in the United States say they are constipated most or all of the time. Those reporting constipation most often are women, children, and adults age 65 and over. Pregnant women also complain of constipation, and it is a common problem following childbirth or surgery.

Constipation is the most common gastrointestinal complaint in the United States, resulting in about 2 million annual visits to the doctor. However, most people treat themselves without seeking medical help, as is evident from the $725 million Americans spend on laxatives each year. (Source: excerpt from Constipation: NIDDK) ... Prevalence: 4.4 million people (1983-87) (Source: excerpt from Digestive Diseases Statistics: NIDDK)

Who gets Constipation?

Patient Profile for Constipation: Can affect anyone, common in children and older age.

How serious is Constipation?

Complications of Constipation: see complications of Constipation
Deaths for Constipation: 29 deaths in the USA 1982-85 (Digestive diseases in the United States: Epidemiology and Impact – NIH Publication No. 94-1447, NIDDK, 1994)

What causes Constipation?

Causes of Constipation: see causes of Constipation
Risk factors for Constipation: see risk factors for Constipation

What are the symptoms of Constipation?

Symptoms of Constipation: see symptoms of Constipation

Complications of Constipation: see complications of Constipation

Constipation: Testing

Diagnostic testing: see tests for Constipation.

Misdiagnosis: see misdiagnosis and Constipation.

How is it treated?

Treatments for Constipation: see treatments for Constipation
Prevention of Constipation: see prevention of Constipation
Research for Constipation: see research for Constipation

Society issues for Constipation

Hospitalizations for Constipation: 100,000 people in the USA 1983-87 (Digestive diseases in the United States: Epidemiology and Impact – NIH Publication No. 94-1447, NIDDK, 1994)

Hospitalizations for Constipation: Hospitalizations: 100,000 (1983-87) (Source: excerpt from Digestive Diseases Statistics: NIDDK)
Physician office visits for Constipation: 2 million people in the USA 1985 (Digestive diseases in the United States: Epidemiology and Impact – NIH Publication No. 94-1447, NIDDK, 1994) Physician office visits for Constipation: Physician office visits: 2 million (1985) (Source: excerpt from Digestive Diseases Statistics: NIDDK)
Prescriptions for Constipation: 1 million people in the USA 1985 (Digestive diseases in the United States: Epidemiology and Impact – NIH Publication No. 94-1447, NIDDK, 1994)
Prescriptions for Constipation: Prescriptions: 1 million (1985) (Source: excerpt from Digestive Diseases Statistics: NIDDK)
Disability from Constipation: 13,000 people in the USA 1983-87 (Digestive diseases in the United States: Epidemiology and Impact – NIH Publication No. 94-1447, NIDDK, 1994)
Disability from Constipation: Disability: 13,000 people (1983-87) (Source: excerpt from Digestive Diseases Statistics: NIDDK)

Organs Affected by Constipation:

Organs and body systems related to Constipation include:

• Colon
• Rectum
• Anus
• Digestive

Name and Aliases of Constipation

Main name of condition: Constipation

costiveness

Irregularity
Source - WordNet 2.1

Research the causes of these diseases that are similar to, or related to, Constipation:

• Anorectal disorders
• Diverticular disease
• Stool frequency
• Colonic dysmotility
• Defecation
• Anorectal manometry
• Hard stools
• Straining
• Hemorrhoid
• Anal fissure
• Infrequent bowel movements
• Difficulty in defecation
• Sensation of incomplete bowel evacuation
• Colonic diverticular disease

 » Next page: Online Medical Textbooks for Constipation

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