Constipation Diseases

Constipation may be defined as a condition in which there is infrequent and/or incomplete evacuation of dry or hard feces from the bowel. Constipation is a symptom of some underlying problem and not a disease in itself. At a prevalence rate of 2%, constipation is the most common digestive complaint in the United States.

Identification

• Constipation can occur at any age from newborns to the elderly. However, it is more common in the second group. There are many diseases that cause constipation.
  A person may have constipation if any of the following two symptoms are present for more than 12 weeks in the past year:
  1. Hard or dry stools
  2. Straining during defecation
  3. Sensation of incomplete evacuation
  4. Fewer than three evacuations per week

Pathophisiology

• When the digested food particles pass through the large bowel, water is absorbed from them. If for any reason the passage of the food particles is slow or the absorption of water fast, constipation results.

Common Causes of Constipation

• Some of the common causes of constipation are:
  Idiopathic constipation--As the name suggests, it is of unknown origin and may be due to hormonal imbalance or nerve/muscle damage.
  Diet and exercise--A low fiber diet may cause constipation. Fibers are vital to maintain a soft, bulky stool. A diet rich in vegetables and whole grains will provide the dietary requirement of fiber. Taking insufficient fluids can lead to constipation. Decreased physical activity as happens in the elderly and hospitalized individuals is also known to cause constipation.
  Habit--Suppressing the urge to defecate can lead to constipation.
  Medications--Several drugs are known to cause constipation. Prominent among these are antacids containing aluminum hydroxide, medicines containing iron, calcium channel blockers like nifedipine (used as antihypertensive), amitryptiline (antidepressant), narcotic painkillers like codeine and anticonvulsant drugs such asphenytoin. Misuse of "laxatives" is one of the main causes of constipation.
  Systemic diseases--Several diseases cause constipation, including multiple sclerosis, stroke, spinal cord injury, diabetess, amyloidosis and scleroderma.
  Local diseases--This includes tumor of the bowel and irritable bowel syndrome.

Prevention/Correction

• A healthy fiber rich diet containing fruits, vegetables and cereals, plenty of water and exercise will help prevent and correct constipation. The recommended dose of fiber for adults is 25 grams per day. The fiber absorbs and holds water making it soft and easy to pass.

Treatment

• Treatment of constipation is the treatment of the underlying cause. In idiopathic or transient constipation laxatives can be used. However, care should be taken to see that they are not misused.