Constipation is the infrequency or the difficulty in passing the stools for days or weeks. It is generally described as having fewer than 3 bowel movements a week. Constipation was the most common digestive complaint in the United States, outnumbering all other chronic digestive conditions. Constipation was three times more common in women than men.
Causes:
- Anal fissure
- Bowel obstruction
- Colon cancer
- Rectal cancer
- Rectocele
Symptoms:
- Passing less than 3 stools /week
- Having lumpy or hard stools
- Straining to pass stool
- Feels as if there is a blockage on the rectum that is preventing your bowel movement
Complications:
- Haemorrhoids
- Anal fissure
- Fecal impaction
- Rectal prolapsed
Tests:
- Blood tests in condition of hypothyroidism
- Sigmoidoscopy
- Colonoscopy
- Balloon expulsion test
- X-ray defecography
- MRI defecography
Statistics:
- Over 4 million people in the United States have frequent constipation, corresponding to a prevalence of about 2 percent.
- Cathartics and laxatives were prescribed to 2 to 3 million patients yearly by general and family practitioners or internists.
- In 92,000 annual hospitalizations, constipation was listed among the discharge diagnoses.
- About 900 persons die annually from diseases associated with or related to constipation.
- It showed a marked increase after the age of 65 years. It appeared to affect non-whites 1.3 times more frequently than whites.