Constipation is a condition of the digestive system where a person (or other animal) experiences hard feces that is difficult to eliminate; it may be extremely painful, and in extreme cases (fecal impaction) lead to symptoms of bowel obstruction. Causes may be dietary, hormonal and anatomical. Treatment is with a change in dietary habits, laxatives, fiber therapy, enemas, and rarely surgery.
Constipation - Signs and symptoms.
In common constipation, the stool is hard and difficult to void. Straining ...
In people without medical problems, the main intervention is the increase of fluids (preferably water) and dietary fiber. The latter may be achieved by consuming more vegetables and fruit, whole meal bread and by adding linseeds to one's diet. The routine non-medical use of laxatives is to be discouraged as this may result in bowel action becoming dependant upon their use.
Laxatives may be necessary in people in whom dietary intervention is not effective or inappropriate. Stimulant laxatives (eg senna) are generally avoided, as they m ...
In common constipation, the stool is hard and difficult to void. Straining may cause hemorrhoids and anal fissures. The abdomen may become distended and diffusely tender and crampy, occasionally with enhanced bowel sounds.
While many feel that one should have a bowel movement every day, it may be completely normal to defecate once a week as long as this does not cause any other symptoms. This depends on ...
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 t ...
