It is defined as an infrequent and difficult passing of stools. The consistency stools are usually hard and patient
feels sensation of incomplete evacuation after defecation. This occurs
due to absorption of water from the food if it remains for a long time
in colon.
Causes:
1.Dietary factors-
a.Lack of intake of fluid and fibrous diet.
2.Medications- Some drugs causes constipation like
a.Anti-depressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil) and imipramine
(Tofranil) etc.
b.Aluminium containing ant-acids.
c.Calcium and Iron supplements.
d.Abuse of laxatives.
3.Gastro-intestinal Disoders-
a.Motility- Irritable Bowel syndrome.
b.Obstructive- Mechanical causes like megarectum, rectal prolapse,
rectocele, and enterocele. Retained foreign body like bezoar.
c.Structural- Diverticular diseases like tumors, Hirschsprung's disease.
d.Defecation- Crohn's disease, haemorroids, etc.
4.Metabolic/ Endocrine Disorders-
a.Hypothyroidism
b.Diabetes mellitus.
c.Pregnancy.
d.Hypocalcaemia.
5.Neurological Disorders-
a.Parkinsonism.
b.Spinal cord lesion.
c.Multiple sclerosis.
6.Psychological Disorders-
a.Depression
b.Anxiety disorder.
7.Smoking cessation- Nicotine present in a cigarette is act as a
laxative.
8.Any abdominal surgery- like childbirth etc.
9.Lead Poisoning.
10.Old age.
11.Sedentary lifestyle.
12.Altered sleep pattern, mostly found in people who are doing night
shifts.
Signs and Symptoms:
There are few common symptoms of constipation are given below-
1.The stool is hard, difficult, and painful to pass.
2.There is an infrequent urge to void.
3.The abdomen may become distended and diffusely tender and cramp,
occasionally with enhanced bowel sounds.
Clinical Assessment:
1.Medical History- The onset, duration and characteristics are
important to know for a physician in treating cases of constipation for
example presence of constipation since birth may suggests
Hirschsprung's diseases; painful defecation may suggests anal fissure
or any obstruction in the region of anus. It will also help in
detecting out whether patient is taking any medicines or not.
2.Physical Examination- Careful examination will in detecting out the
cause for the constipation like Rectal examination gives an impression
of the anal sphincter tone and whether the lower rectum contains any
feces or not, also gives information on the consistency of the stool,
presence of hemorrhoids, admixture of blood and whether any tumors or
abnormalities are present.
A search is made in order to detect any neurological disorders like
spinal injury or any lesion, etc.
Other Investigating Procedures:
1.Blood Test- to detect any endocrine disorders, blood sugar and level
of calcium.
2.X- Ray- to detect any pathology present or not.
3.Barium enema- A barium enema (lower GI series) is an x-ray study in
which liquid barium is inserted through the anus to fill the rectum and
colon. The barium outlines the colon on the X-rays and defines the
normal or abnormal anatomy of the colon and rectum. Tumors and
narrowings (strictures) are among the abnormalities that can be
detected with this test.
Treatment:
1.Don't suppress urges to defecate. When the urge comes, find a toilet.
2.Increase fiber in diet as it helps in retaining water in colon; it
includes fruits, vegetables, wheat, oat etc.
3.Intake of water should be increased as it helps in softening of
stools.
4.Sedentary lifestyle should be avoided and physical work must be
promoted like exercises.
5.Check your medicines, whether any medicines is not responsible for
constipation.
6.Homoeopathy has excellent result in curing. It offers treatment on
the basis of individual case patterns. It is strongly recommended in
treating cases of constipation.
Please E-mail dr_ramanand@rediffmail.com for any questions/treatment