Constipation: Encyclopedia II - Constipation - Diagnosis

Constipation - Diagnosis

The diagnosis is essentially made by the patient's description of the symptoms. Enquiring about dietary habits may reveal a low intake of dietary fiber or inadequate amounts of fluids. Constipation as a result of immobility or side effect of other medications should be considered in the elderly. Rarely other symptoms suggestive of hypothyroidism may be elicited.

During physical examination, scybala (manually palpable lumps of stool) may be detected. Rectal examination gives an impression of the anal sphincter tone and whether the lower rectum contains any feces or not; if so, then suppositories or enemas may be considered, else medication by mouth will be required. Rectal examination also gives information on the consistency of the stool, presence of hemorrhoids and whether any presence of tumors.

X-rays of the abdomen, generally only performed in hospitalized patients, may reveal impacted fecal matter in the colon, and confirm or rule out other causes of similar symptoms (such as bowel obstruction).

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Diagnosis", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki