Constipation causes

Constipation Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Constipation from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Study of Choice
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Abdominal X Ray
CT
MRI
Ultrasound
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Constipation On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Constipation All Images X-rays Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Constipation
CDC on Constipation
Constipation in the news
Blogs on Constipation
Directions to Hospitals Treating Constipation
Risk calculators and risk factors for Constipation

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Causes

Common Causes

The main causes of constipation include:

• Hardening of the feces
  • Improper mastication (chewing) of food
  • Insufficient intake of dietary fiber
  • Dehydration from any cause or inadequate fluid intake
  • Medication, e.g. diuretics and those containing iron, calcium, aluminium
• Paralysis or slowed transit, where peristaltic action is diminished or absent, so that feces are not moved along
  • Hypothyroidism (slow-acting thyroid gland)
  • Hypokalemia
  • Injured anal sphincter (patulous anus)
  • Medications, such as loperamide, opioids (e.g. codeine & morphine) and certain tricyclic antidepressants
  • Severe illness due to other causes
  • Acute porphyria (a rare inherited condition)
  • Lead poisoning
• Dyschezia (usually the result of suppressing defecation)
• Constriction, where part of the intestine or rectum is narrowed or blocked, not allowing feces to pass
  • Stenosis (Strictures)
  • Diverticula
  • Tumors, either of the bowel or surrounding tissues
  • Retained foreign body or a bezoar
• Psychosomatic constipation, based on anxiety or unfamiliarity with surroundings.
  • Functional constipation
  • Constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome, characterized by a combination of constipation and abdominal discomfort and/or pain
• Smoking cessation (tobacco smoking has a laxative effect)
• Abdominal surgery, other types of surgery, childbirth