CONSTIPATION

CONSTIPATION: Excerpt from Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care

The causes of constipation can be recalled on a physiologic basis. Normal defecation requires feces that are of proper consistency, good muscular contraction of the walls of the large intestine, and unobstructed passage of the stool. It follows that constipation will result from insufficient intake of food and water, inhibition of muscular contraction of the bowels, or obstruction to the passage of stools. The obstruction can be high or low and intrinsic or extrinsic.

1. Insufficient intake of food and water. Starvation or anything that interferes with the appetite will cause constipation. Senility, anorexia nervosa, chronic tonsillitis, and cardiospasm of the esophagus are examples. Lack of fluid intake will cause a hard stool and constipation.
2. Poor bowel motility and contractability. Neurologic conditions such as poliomyelitis and tabes dorsalis may be considered in this group. In Hirschsprung disease, there is lack of the myenteric plexus, causing poor contraction of the bowel wall. Anxiety and depression may interfere with bowel motility and lead to constipation. Certain drugs (such as atropine derivatives, tranquilizers, opiates, and barbiturates) interfere with bowel motility and cause constipation. Uremia and diabetic acidosis may cause a paralytic ileus.
3. Obstruction.

1. A. High obstruction includes pyloric stenosis, volvulus, intussusception, regional ileitis, adhesions, and incarcerated hernias.
2. B. Low obstruction includes intrinsic lesions such as polyps, carcinomas, fecal impactions, and conditions that cause spasm of the rectal sphincter, such as proctitis, hemorrhoids, rectal fissures, rectal fistulas, and abscesses and spinal cord lesions like multiple sclerosis.
3. Extrinsic conditions that cause low obstructions include pelvic inflammatory disease, a retroverted uterus, endometriosis, pregnancy, fibroids, ovarian cysts, and a large prostate or pelvic abscess.

CONSTIPATION

Approach to the Diagnosis

Rectal examination for a fecal impaction and subsequent enemas if no contraindication exists are the first steps. This may disclose a fissure, inflamed hemorrhoid, or abscess. Pelvic examination must be done in all females. If nothing is found here a proctoscopic examination and barium enema would be indicated, provided the neurologic examination and a flat plate of the abdomen are normal. Careful inquiry about diet, drugs, and emotional stress should be made.

Other Useful Tests

1. Glucose tolerance test (diabetic neuropathy)
2. Stool for occult blood (rectal or colon carcinoma)
3. Serum electrolytes (motility disorder)
4. Thyroid function tests (hypothyroidism)
5. Urine porphobilinogen (porphyria)
6. Urine drug screen (drug abuse)
7. Colonoscopy (colon carcinoma)
8. Defecography (motility disorder)
9. Anorectal manometry (neuropathy)
10. Gastroenterology consult

Book Source Details

• Book Title: Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care
• Author(s): R. Douglas Collins
• Year of Publication: 2007
• Copyright Details: Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care, Copyright © 2007 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

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Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

More About This Book: Title: Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care Authors: R. Douglas Collins Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Copyright: 2007 ISBN: 0-7817-6812-8

 » Next page: Bowel sounds, hypoactive (Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))

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