Causes of Megacolon

List of causes of Megacolon

Following is a list of causes or underlying conditions (see also Misdiagnosis of underlying causes of Megacolon) that could possibly cause Megacolon includes:

• Congenital abnormality
• Hirschsprung's disease
• Bowel muscle paralysis
• Certain nerve conditions (see Nerve symptoms)
• Hypothyroidism
• Laxative overuse
• Avoidance of defecation
• Certain conditions causing defecation avoidance:
  • Depression - losing intest
  • Dementia
  • Schizophrenia
  • Anorectal pain
• Familial infantile metachromatic leukodystrophy - late infantile - megacolon
• Colonic pseudoobstruction
• Familial visceral myopathy
• Systemic sclerosis
• Chagas' disease - Megacolon
• Creatine deficiency, X-linked - megacolon
• Adrenomyodystrophy - megacolon
• Ulcerative colitis - megacolon
• Metachromatic Leukodystrophy - megacolon
• Constipation
• Lead

More causes: see full list of causes for Megacolon

Causes of Megacolon (Diseases Database):

The follow list shows some of the possible medical causes of Megacolon that are listed by the Diseases Database:

• Systemic sclerosis
• Familial visceral myopathy
• Constipation
• Hirschsprung's disease
• Colonic pseudoobstruction
• Lead
• Chagas' disease

Megacolon Causes: Book Excerpts

• Differential Diagnosis - Enlarged Anterior Fontanelle
• Causes - Inactive colon
• Principal Causes of Scrotal Enlargement - Scrotal Enlargement

Megacolon as a complication of other conditions:

Other conditions that might have Megacolon as a complication may, potentially, be an underlying cause of Megacolon. Our database lists the following as having Megacolon as a complication of that condition:

• Ulcerative colitis

Megacolon as a symptom:

Conditions listing Megacolon as a symptom may also be potential underlying causes of Megacolon. Our database lists the following as having Megacolon as a symptom of that condition:

• Adrenomyodystrophy
• Chagas disease
• Creatine deficiency, X-linked
• Familial infantile metachromatic leukodystrophy - late infantile
• Metachromatic Leukodystrophy
• Quinacrine - Teratogenic Agent

Medications or substances causing Megacolon:

The following drugs, medications, substances or toxins are some of the possible causes of Megacolon as a symptom. This list is incomplete and various other drugs or substances may cause your symptoms. Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using, including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.

• Laxatives
• Morphine
• Codeine
• more drugs...»

Read more about medication causes of Megacolon

Related information on causes of Megacolon:

As with all medical conditions, there may be many causal factors. Further relevant information on causes of Megacolon may be found in:

• Medications that may cause Megacolon
• Hidden causes of Megacolon

Causes of Megacolon: Online Medical Books

16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the causes of Megacolon.

Enlarged Anterior Fontanelle: Differential Diagnosis
(In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)

• Hypothyroidism
  –Primary congenital hypothyroidism occurs in 1/4,000 live births, more in females (2:1)
  –Ectopic thyroid gland is the most common etiology; may also be caused by thyroid dysgenesis, thyroid dyshormonogenesis, hypothalamic-pituitary hypothyroidism
  –Physical findings include prolonged jaundice, macroglossia, doughy skin, umbilical hernia, weak hoarse cry, hypotonia, poor feeding, sparse hair, dry skin, constipation, abdominal distension, poor growth, developmental delay, slow deep-tendon reflexes, broad flat nose
  –Acquired hypothyroidism is most commonly due to iodine deficiency or chronic autoimmune thyroiditis

• Increased intracranial pressure
  –Usually accompanied by increased head circumference
  –Hydrocephalus
  –Trauma
  –Acute CNS infections (meningitis or encephalitis)

• Skeletal dysplasias
  –Rickets
  –Achondroplasia
  –Osteogenesis imperfecta

• Genetic/chromosomal disorders
  –Down syndrome (trisomy 21): Associated with mental retardation, hypotonia, epicanthal folds, slanted palpebral fissures, small ears, Brushfield spots of iris, clinodactyly, single palmar crease, cardiac defects, brachycephaly, protruding tongue, short neck, large space between first and second toes
  –Apert syndrome
  –Trisomy 13
  –Trisomy 18
  –Silver-Russell syndrome
  –Cleidocranial dysostosis
  –Kenny syndrome

• Fetal hydantoin syndrome
• Intrauterine growth retardation
• Zellweger (cerebrohepatorenal) syndrome
• Hurler syndrome (type I mucopolysaccharidosis)

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms, 2007

Inactive colon: Causes
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

Inactive colon usually results from some deficiency in the three elements necessary for normal bowel activity: dietary bulk, fluid intake, and exercise. It’s common in bedridden people because of their inactivity and is generally relieved with diet and exercise. Other possible causes can include habitual disregard of the impulse to defecate, emotional conflicts, chronic use of laxatives, or prolonged dependence on enemas, which dull rectal sensitivity to the presence of feces.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005

Scrotal Enlargement: Principal Causes of Scrotal Enlargement
(The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics)

1. Painfulscrotal enlargement
   1. Testicular
      1. Torsion of the testis
      2. Orchitis
      3. Trauma
   2. Nontesticular
      1. Torsion of appendages of the testisand epididymis
      2. Epididymitis
      3. Incarcerated inguinal hernia
2. Nonpainful scrotal enlargement
   1. Testicular
      1. In uterotorsion
      2. Tumor
   2. Nontesticular
      1. Inguinal hernia
      2. Hydrocele
      3. Spermatocele
      4. Varicocele
      5. Henoch-Schönlein purpura
      6. Kawasaki disease
      7. Meconium peritonitis
      8. Tumors of the epididymis, spermaticcord, or scrotal wall
      9. Generalized edema

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics, 2006

 » Next page: Symptoms of Megacolon

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