Symptom: Constipation

Introduction: Constipation

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:
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Lupus
  • Parkinson's disease
  • Stroke
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Spinal cord disorder
  • Diabetes
  • Thyroid diseases
  • Uremia
  • Amyloidosis
  • Scleroderma
• Digestive disorders
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Bowel inflammation
  • Crohn's disease
  • Colon problems (see Bowel problems)

See full list of 371 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 (16 causes)
• Rectal tenesmus (16 causes)
• Tenesmus (15 causes)

More types of Constipation

Constipation: Multiple Symptom Checker

Listed below are some combinations of symptoms associated with Constipation, as listed in our database. Visit the Multiple Symptoms Checker, to add and remove symptoms and research your condition.

Multiple Symptom Checker - Other Symptoms

• Constipation: Multiple Symptom Checker

Multiple Symptom Checker Combinations

• Constipation and Digestive symptoms (208 causes)
• Constipation and Abdominal symptoms (202 causes)
• Constipation and Bowel problems (194 causes)
• Constipation and Bowel movements (192 causes)
• Constipation and Stool symptoms (190 causes)
• Constipation and Nerve symptoms (136 causes)
• Constipation and Sensations (130 causes)
• Constipation and Pain (126 causes)
• Constipation and Vomiting (102 causes)
• Constipation and Abdominal pain (94 causes)
• Constipation and Swelling symptoms (93 causes)
• Constipation and Muscle symptoms (92 causes)
• Constipation and Weakness (90 causes)
• Constipation and Muscle weakness (87 causes)
• Constipation and Head symptoms (87 causes)
• Constipation and Body symptoms (83 causes)
• Constipation and Sexual symptoms (80 causes)
• Constipation and Weight loss (80 causes)
• Constipation and Behavioral symptoms (78 causes)
• Constipation and Weight symptoms (74 causes)

See full list of 1580 Multiple Symptom Checker combinations related to Constipation

Home Diagnostic Testing and Constipation

Home medical tests possibly related to Constipation:

• Colon & Rectal Cancer: Home Testing
  • Home Colorectal Cancer Tests
  • Home Fecal Occult Bleeding Tests

Causes of General Symptom Types

Research the causes of these more general types of symptom:

• Digestive symptoms (2184 causes)
• Bowel problems (824 causes)
• Bowel movements (699 causes)
• Stool symptoms (768 causes)
• Abdominal symptoms (1394 causes)

Causes of Similar Symptoms to Constipation

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

• Fecal straining (16 causes)
• Bowel infrequency (3 causes)
• Dry stool

Diagnostic Guides for Constipation

Medical Books Excerpts Read excerpts 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

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

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...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....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 malabsorption disorder with a variety of...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 ...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. Too often, the problem...read more »

Read more about Misdiagnosis and Constipation

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)

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.

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.

See Diagnosis Checklist for Constipation (18 listings)

Stories from Users for Constipation

Real-life user stories relating to Constipation:

• I can't go to a doctor & I'm desperate for help.
• Constipation
• Can constipation cause this type of agony?
• 35 years of undiagnosed/misdiagnosis of constipation
• Constipation - should I be worried?
• Consistent Thirst, Constipation & Always going to the bathroom
• I've been constipated for years
• constipation & laxatives-please help!
• HELP!!!!! I haven't bled in 5 months...
• Constipation, don't know what to do.
• Help! I can't go on like this.
• re: Chronic fatigue and constipation...
• Haven't been to the doctors yet but...
• Why do I feel so paranoid constantly?
• Constipation, things that look Sesame seeds...
• Pounding And Palpitations Cant Go Nowere
• more than just constipation
• will it ever go away?!?!?
• 4yr old. fighting chronic constipation
• Can't go...extra dribble at end!

Symptom specific forums: The following patient stories in our interactive forums and message boards relate to Constipation or relevant symptoms:

• Gastrointestinal (Food - from entry to exit) (452)
  • Bloating/Distention/Intestinal Gas
  • Intense Abdominal Pain
  • Help Please! Extreme Abdominal Pain/Gas/Bowel Symptoms ++
  • Feels like a baby kicking-not pregnant
  • 7 year old with severe heartburn/stomach aches
  • More user stories
• Neurological (Nerves) (357)
  • Could this be MS?
  • Numbness and tingling all over
  • Tingling/numbness in arms/hands/legs/face/head [more symptoms]
  • Eye twitch
  • Essential tremor
  • More user stories

Videos for Constipation

Patient Surveys for Constipation

• Patient Profile Survey
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• Survey about diseases related to your Constipation
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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
• Cabergoline
• Chagas' disease
• Chlorpheniramine
• Chlorpromazine
• Cilansetron
• Cinnarizine
• Codeine
• Codeine phosphate
• Colestyramine
• Colonic diverticulosis

See full list of 371 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

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

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:

• Large bowel
• Small bowel
• Stomach

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
• Acute appendicitis - constipation
• Acute intermittent porphyria - constipation

See full list of 371 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 371 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
• 19 causes are "very rare" diseases
• 336 causes have no prevalence information.

See the analysis of the prevalence of 371 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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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: