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Constipation
- Constipation: Introduction
- Causes (702 conditions)
- Types
- Diagnosis Checklist (18 listings)
- Misdiagnosis
- Home Diagnostic Testing
- Diagnostic Guides (Online)
- Diagnostic tests (16 listings)
- Symptom Checker
- Drug causes (1744 listings)
- Drug interaction causes (514 listings)
- Videos
- Definitions
- Choose Doctor
- Classifications
- News (19 listings)
- Stories from Users
Constipation: Introduction
Constipation is a common symptom where a person has difficulty passing feces or unusually dry stool. Note that dry stool is medically considered within the spectrum of "constipation", although many people will use the term constipation only when stool dryness or hardness actually causes difficulty passing stool. Straining at stool is called "tenesmus"; see also bowel infrequency.
Constipation is common in children and older age, but can affect anyone. Since everyone has difficult bowel patterns, and not everyone passes one stool per day, exactly who qualifies for the diagnosis of "constipated" is not always clear. About 2% of the population suffers from chronic constipation. Various conditions can cause constipation ranging from poor diet, aging, pregnancy, irritable bowel syndrome, and numerous other underlying conditions for constipation. Constipation can also cause diarrhea leading to misdiagnosis. Various medications can cause constipation including overuse of laxatives that can cause a vicious cycle of constipation. Although constipation is not usually caused by a serious disease, professional medical advice is necessary to rule them out.
» Review Causes of Constipation: full list
Causes of Constipation:
The following medical conditions are some of the possible
causes of Constipation.
There are likely to be other possible causes, so ask your doctor
about your symptoms.
- Dehydration
- Poor diet
- Low-fiber diet
- Inadequate water intake
- Laxative abuse
- Inadequate exercise
- Potty training difficulties - various problems such as bad previous experiences, unfamiliar environments, family stress, and so on can cause problems with constipation in young children.
- Pregnancy
- Advancing age
- Travel-related constipation (type of Constipation)
- Poor bowel habits
- Certain medications
- Various medical conditions:
- Digestive disorders
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Bowel inflammation
- Crohn's disease
- Colon problems (see Bowel problems)
- more causes...»
See full list of 702 causes of Constipation
» Review Causes of Constipation: full list
Causes of Types of Constipation:
Review the causes of these more specific types of Constipation:
- Hard stool (3 causes)
- Fecal impaction (4 causes)
- Bowel infrequency (3 causes)
- Fecal straining (21 causes)
- Rectal tenesmus (16 causes)
- Tenesmus (44 causes)
- more types...»
Review causes of types of Constipation in more specific categories:
- Constipation in pregnancy (11 causes)
- Constipation during pregnancy (22 causes)
- more types...»
Review causes of more specific types of Constipation:
See full list of 20 types for Constipation
Constipation: Symptom Checker
Listed below are some combinations of symptoms associated with Constipation, as listed in our database. Visit the Symptom Checker, to add and remove symptoms and research your condition.
Symptom Checker
Symptom Checker
- Constipation and Digestive symptoms (330 causes)
- Constipation and Abdominal symptoms (324 causes)
- Constipation and Bowel problems (316 causes)
- Constipation and Bowel movements (313 causes)
- Constipation and Stool symptoms (310 causes)
- Constipation and Nerve symptoms (240 causes)
- Constipation and Sensations (236 causes)
- Constipation and Pain (229 causes)
- Constipation and Head symptoms (196 causes)
- Constipation and Muscle symptoms (195 causes)
- Constipation and Weakness (186 causes)
- Constipation and Muscle weakness (185 causes)
- Constipation and Vomiting (181 causes)
- Constipation and Behavioral symptoms (175 causes)
- Constipation and Abdominal pain (174 causes)
- Constipation and Body symptoms (168 causes)
- Constipation and Personality symptoms (165 causes)
- Constipation and Weight loss (160 causes)
- more...»
See full list of 3826 Symptom Checker combinations related to Constipation
Constipation: Marketplace Products, Discounts & Offers
Products, offers and promotion categories available related to Constipation:
Causes of General Symptom Types
Research the causes of these more general types of symptom:
- Digestive symptoms (4279 causes)
- Bowel problems (2267 causes)
- Bowel movements (2076 causes)
- Stool symptoms (2187 causes)
- Abdominal symptoms (3027 causes)
- more symptoms...»
Causes of Similar Symptoms to Constipation
Research the causes of these symptoms that are similar to, or related to, the symptom Constipation:
- Fecal straining (21 causes)
- Bowel infrequency (3 causes)
- Dry stool
- Appetitie
- Laxatives
- Fibre
- Pregnancy (471 causes)
- Haemorrhoids
- Crohns disease
- more symptoms...»
Diagnostic Guides for Constipation
Medical Books Excerpts Read excertps from published book sections related to Constipation from the following published medical books for more detailed information about Constipation. Free access (no registration): read all online diagnostic book sections about Constipation
- "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
- [ read ]
Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.
Constipation: Undiagnosed Conditions
Conditions that are commonly undiagnosed in related areas may include:
- Chronic Digestive Disorders that can remain Undiagnosed:
- more undiagnosed conditions...»
Hospitals & Clinics: Constipation
Research extensive quality ratings and patient safety measures for hospitals, clinics and medical facilities in health specialties related to Constipation:
Research Hospital & Clinic Quality Ratings » »
Constipation: Research Related Doctors & Specialists
- Digestive Health Specialists (Gastroenterology):
- more specialists...»
Other ways to find a doctor, or use doctor, physician and specialist online research services:
- Rate Your Doctor by Taking a Survey Online
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- View Online Patient Surveys from Other Patients of Your Doctor
- Research local doctors and specialists including ratings, affiliations, and sanctions.
Misdiagnosis and Constipation
Chronic digestive conditions often misdiagnosed: When diagnosing chronic symptoms of the digestive tract, there are a variety of conditions that may be misdiagnosed....read more »
Intestinal bacteria disorder may be hidden cause: One of the lesser known causes of diarrhea is an imbalance of bacterial in the gut, sometimes called intestinal imbalance. The digestive system...read more »
Antibiotics often causes diarrhea: The use of antibiotics are very likely to cause some level of diarrhea in patients. The reason is that antibiotics...read more »
Food poisoning may actually be an infectious disease: Many people who come down with "stomach symptoms" like diarrhea assume that it's "something I ate" (i.e. food poisoning). In fact, it's...read more »
Mesenteric adenitis misdiagnosed as appendicitis in children: Because appendicitis is one of the more feared conditions for a child with abdominal pain, it can be over-diagnosed (it can, of...read more »
Celiac disease often fails to be diagnosed cause of chronic digestive symptoms: One of the most common chronic digestive conditions is celiac disease, a...read more »
Chronic digestive diseases hard to diagnose: There is an inherent difficulty in diagnosing the various types of chronic digestive diseases. Some of the better known possibilities are peptic ulcer, colon...read more »
Inspection the key to diagnose anal fissure: An anal fissure, although a minor problem, may lead to tremendous discomfort if not diagnosed promptly....read more »
Read more about Misdiagnosis and Constipation
Constipation: Related Rare Diseases
Rare types of medical conditions and diseases in related medical categories:
- Chronic Digestive Disorders -- Rare Types:
- more rare diseases...»
Diagnostic tests for Constipation:
Various tests are used in the diagnosis of Constipation. Some of these are listed below :
- Physical examination
- Inspection of external anus looking for disease that may cause constipation e.g. anal fissure; or pathology that may be a result of constipation e.g. hemorrhoids, anal fissure
- Digital rectal examination - if there are symptoms of intestinal obstruction and the rectum is empty it may suggest complete intestinal obstruction but if there are some feces in the rectum there may be an incomplete intestinal obstruction; if rectal mass is found it suggests colon cancer.
- Test perianal sensation and the anal reflex to support neurological cause of bowel infrequency
- Abdominal examination for tenderness, mass, fecal loading, abdominal distention or irregular liver edge (due to metastases from colon cancer)
- Blood tests
- Full blood count, electrolytes, thyroid function tests - to rule out systemic causes of constipation such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, hypercalcaemia, hyperparathyroidism.
- more tests...»
See full list of 16
diagnostic tests for Constipation
Diagnosis Checklist: Questions your doctor may ask (and why!)
During a consultation, your doctor will use various techniques in their assessment of Constipation. Your doctor may ask several questions when assessing your condition. It is important to remember that your consultation is a two-way process and any extra information you can share with your doctor about your symptoms may help them with their diagnosis. Some of the questions your doctor may ask are listed below:
- When did the constipation start? - to determine if acute or chronic e.g. if acute may suggest intestinal obstruction or bowel cancer. If constipation is chronic need to investigate the dietary history, emotional status and toilet habits. If the constipation occurs from birth must consider Hirschsprung's disease.
- Frequency of bowel movements? - to establish severity.
- Consistency of bowel movements? - to establish if true constipation i.e. less than 3 stools per week or stools that are hard to evacuate.
- Dietary history? - e.g. fast food is usually devoid of fiber; weight loss diets may be low in fiber; lack of dietary fiber in diet e.g. fruit, vegetables and wholemeal products.
- Toilet habits over the life span? - E.g. a common cause of chronic constipation is the habitual neglect of the impulse to defecate leading to accumulation of large, dry faecal masses which causes constant rectal distension from feces and consequent reduced awareness of rectal fullness.
- more questions...»
See Diagnosis Checklist for Constipation (18 listings)
Diagnosis Checklist: Associated symptoms your doctor may ask about (and why!)
Sometimes, other symptoms may be present and may help your doctor analyse your condition. The symptoms your doctor may ask about (in association with Constipation) may include:
- Bloody stool with painful evacuation? - may suggest hemorrhoids or anal fissure. If defecation is painful it may cause you to delay moving your bowels due to fear of the pain which may further perpetuate the problem.
- Bloody stool with painless evacuation? - may suggest colon cancer or diverticulitis.
- Blood and mucous in the stool? - may suggest inflammatory bowel disease.
- Fecal incontinence? - may suggest constipation with overflow of liquid feces. This can occur in children and adults.
- Symptoms of intestinal obstruction? - e.g. abdominal pain, vomiting, loud bowel sounds.
- more symptoms...»
See Diagnosis Checklist for Constipation (18 listings)
Home Diagnostic Testing and Constipation
Home medical tests possibly related to Constipation:
- Colon & Rectal Cancer: Home Testing
- Food Allergies & Intolerances: Home Testing:
- Digestive-Related Home Testing:
- more tests...»
Stories from Users for Constipation
Real-life user stories relating to Constipation:
- Please help, my Mom has been to a ton of unknowing doctors
- Constipation
- Can constipation cause this type of agony?
- 35 years of undiagnosed/misdiagnosis of constipation
- Constipation - should I be worried?
- Chronic Constipation
- Why haven't i been diagnosed with POTS?
- I've been constipated for years
- My son has been misdiagnosed.
- Constipation, things that look Sesame seeds...
- I have been to 5 doctors with no answers!!!
- Constipation, don't know what to do.
- constipation & laxatives-please help!
- Why do I feel so paranoid constantly?
- chronic constipation issue
- Haven't been to the doctors yet but...
- more than just constipation
- re: Chronic fatigue and constipation...
- extreme chronic constipation
- Been to 3 doctors and no answers...
Symptom specific forums: The following patient stories in our interactive forums and message boards relate to Constipation or relevant symptoms:
Videos for Constipation
Treating Chronic Constipation
Treating constipation starts with lifestyle changes and laxatives. But when they are not enough, a brand new approach that regulates the transmission...
FF: chronic constipation
Lifestyle changes, including increased fiber intake, drinking more water, and exercise, have proven value in reducing constipation in people who have...
Causes of Constipation
As anyone who has experienced it can tell you, constipation can be an uncomfortable and even painful condition. Many people experience it at one time...
Living Longer with Cancer
There have been many advances in improving the outcome of people living with cancer. Although, many people are living longer with their disease,...
Patient Surveys for Constipation
- Patient Profile Survey
Take Survey View Results - Survey about diseases related to your Constipation
Take Survey View Results
Causes of Constipation listed in Disease Database:
Other medical conditions listed in the Disease Database as possible
causes of Constipation as a symptom include:
- Acute intermittent porphyria
- Alosetron
- Aluminium hydroxide
- Amantadine
- Amitriptyline
- Anal fissure
- Anorexia nervosa
- Antipsychotic agents
- Atropine
- Bromocriptine
- more causes...»
See full list of 702
causes of Constipation
- (Source - Diseases Database)
Medications or substances causing Constipation:
The following drugs, medications, substances or toxins are some of the possible
causes of Constipation as a symptom.
Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using,
including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.
- Laxative overuse
- Pain medications - some, especially narcotics
- Morphine
- Codeine
- Antacids - those with aluminum
- Antispasmodics
- Antidepressants
- more causes...»
See full list of 1744
medications causing Constipation
Drug interactions causing Constipation:
When combined, certain drugs, medications, substances or toxins may react causing Constipation as a symptom. Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using, including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.
- Cyclobenzaprine and narcotic pain reliever interaction
- Flexeril and narcotic pain reliever interaction
- Cyclobenzaprine and ipratropium interaction
- Flexeril and ipratropium interaction
- Cyclobenzaprine and other anticholinergic drug interaction
- Flexeril and other anticholinergic drug interaction
- Amitriptyline (Elavil) and Duloxetine (Cymbalta) interaction
- Amoxapine (Asendin) and Duloxetine (Cymbalta) interaction
- more interactions...»
See full list of 514 drug interactions causing Constipation
Article Excerpts about Constipation
Constipation is passage of small amounts of hard, dry bowel movements, usually fewer than three times a week. People who are constipated may find it difficult and painful to have a bowel movement. Other symptoms of constipation include feeling bloated, uncomfortable, and sluggish.
Many people think they are constipated when, in fact, their bowel movements are regular. For example, some people believe they are constipated, or irregular, if they do not have a bowel movement every day. However, there is no right number of daily or weekly bowel movements. Normal may be three times a day or three times a week depending on the person. In addition, some people naturally have firmer stools than others.
At one time or another almost everyone gets constipated. Poor diet and lack of exercise are usually the causes. In most cases, constipation is temporary and not serious. Understanding causes, prevention, and treatment will help most people find relief. (Source: excerpt from Constipation: NIDDK)
Constipation is passage of small amounts of hard, dry bowel movements, usually fewer than three times a week. People who are constipated may find it difficult and painful to have a bowel movement. Other symptoms of constipation include feeling bloated, uncomfortable, and sluggish.
Many people think they are constipated when, in fact, their bowel movements are regular. For example, some people believe they are constipated, or irregular, if they do not have a bowel movement every day. However, there is no right number of daily or weekly bowel movements. Normal may be three times a day or three times a week depending on the person. In addition, some people naturally have firmer stools than others.
At one time or another almost everyone gets constipated. Poor diet and lack of exercise are usually the causes. In most cases, constipation is temporary and not serious. Understanding causes, prevention, and treatment will help most people find relief. (Source: excerpt from Constipation: NIDDK)
Definitions of Constipation:
Constipation: A condition in which bowel movements are infrequent or incomplete. SYN: costiveness. [L. con-stipo, pp. -atus, to press together]
Source: Stedman's Medical Spellchecker, © 2006 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.
Constipation; irregular and infrequent or difficult evacuation of the bowels.
- (Source - Diseases Database)
Irregular and infrequent or difficult evacuation of the bowels; can be a symptom of intestinal obstruction or diverticulitis
- (Source - WordNet 2.1)
Condition in which bowel movements are infrequent or incomplete.
- (Source - CRISP)
A condition in which stool becomes hard, dry, and difficult to pass, and bowel movements don’t happen very often. Other symptoms may include painful bowel movements, and feeling bloated, uncomfortable, and sluggish.
- (Source - National Cancer Institute)
Organs affected by Constipation:
The list of organs typically affected by Constipation may include, but is not limited to:
Detailed list of causes of Constipation
The list below shows some of the causes of Constipation mentioned in various sources:
- Abdominal Cancer - constipation
- Abdominal irradiation
- Achlorhydria - constipation
- Acorn poisoning - constipation
- Acquired hypothyroidism - constipation
- more causes...»
See full list of 702 causes of Constipation
How Common are these Causes of Constipation?
This information refers to the general prevalence and incidence of these diseases, not to how likely they are to be the actual cause of Constipation. Of the 702 causes of Constipation that we have listed, we have the following prevalence/incidence information:
- 10 causes are "very common" diseases
- 13 causes are "common" diseases
- 10 causes are "uncommon" diseases
- 3 causes are "rare" diseases
- 21 causes are "very rare" diseases
- 666 causes have no prevalence information.
See the analysis of the prevalence of 702 causes of Constipation
Conditions listing symptoms: Constipation:
The following list of conditions have 'Constipation' or similar listed as a symptom in our database. This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete. Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause of any symptom.
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Conditions listing complications: Constipation:
The following list of conditions have 'Constipation' or similar listed as a complication in our database. The distinction between a symptom and complication is not always clear, and conditions mentioning this symptom as a complication may also be relevant. This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete. Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause of any symptom.
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Causes of Constipation Based on Risk Factors
This information shows analysis of the list of causes of Constipation based
on whether certain risk factors apply to the patient:
Doctors and specialists: Who should I consult about Constipation?
Depending on the seriousness of the onset of Constipation, you may want to consult one of the following medical professionals.
Important:In extreme cases, always seek advice from emergency services :
Classifications of Constipation:
Subtypes of Constipation:
Hard stool (3 causes), Fecal impaction (1 cause), Bowel infrequency (3 causes), Fecal straining (19 causes), Rectal tenesmus, Tenesmus (17 causes)
Medical Conditions associated with Constipation:
Digestive symptoms (4251 causes), Bowel problems (2241 causes), Bowel movements (2064 causes), Stool symptoms (2173 causes), Abdominal symptoms (3004 causes)
Symptoms related to Constipation:
Fecal straining (19 causes), Bowel infrequency (3 causes), Dry stool, Appetitie, Laxatives, Fibre, Pregnancy (306 causes), Haemorrhoids, Crohns disease
Medical articles on signs and symptoms:
Doctor-patient articles related to symptoms and diagnosis:
- What to tell your doctor about your symptoms
- What questions will the doctor ask about your symptoms (and why)?
- What does your doctor do in a physical examination?
- What questions should you ask the doctor about a symptom or diagnosis?
- What questions to ask the doctor about the treatment
- Steps to take to get the most out of a doctor visit
- More articles on symptoms and diagnosis
These general medical articles may be of interest:
- Medical Symptom Books
- Symptoms of the Silent Killer Diseases
- Online Diagnosis
- Self Diagnosis Pitfalls
- Pitfalls of Online Diagnosis
See full list of premium articles on symptoms and diagnosis
Medical News summaries about Constipation
Our news pages contain the following medical news summaries about Constipation and many other medical conditions:
- A rare hysterectomy complication: bowel perforation
- All about irritable bowel syndrome
- Cholesterol and thyroid link
- Common child ailments
- Comparison trial shows Fosamax to be a winner for osteoporosis treatment
News Archives for Constipation
Medical news articles related to Constipation include:
- Childhood Constipation Carries a Big Price Tag
- Amitiza Treats Irritable Bowel With Constipation
- Relistor Helps Ease Painkiller-Related Constipation
- Two Drugs Show Promise Against Severe Constipation
- Health Tip: Prevent Constipation
- Constipation's Many Causes and Cures
- Health Tip: Why am I Constipated?
- more health news...»
Source: HealthDay News
Related medical articles from our Disease Center for Constipation:
- Introduction: Constipation
- Basic Summary for Constipation
- Types of Constipation
- Causes of Constipation
- Videos for Constipation
- Drug Causes of Constipation
- Symptoms of Constipation
- Complications of Constipation
- Diagnostic Tests for Constipation
- Misdiagnosis of Constipation
- Treatments for Constipation
- Prevention of Constipation
More Ways To Research Medical Signs and Symptoms:
- Symptom Center - over 4,000 symptoms listed
- Symptom List
- Symptom Descriptions
- All Symptoms
- Diseases Center - find symptom lists for over 13,000 diseases.
- Books on Medical Symptoms
- Books on Medical Diagnosis
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- Causes of Constipation
- Diagnostic Guides Online for Constipation
- Misdiagnosis of Constipation
- CONSTIPATION (Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs)
- Constipation (In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)
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