Sunday, February, 12, 2012

Constipation

Table of Contents

Call your doctor immediately if you have sudden constipation with abdominal cramps and an inability to pass gas or stool. Do NOT take any laxatives.

Also call your doctor if you have:

  • Sharp or severe abdominal pain, especially if you also have bloating
  • Blood in your stool
  • Constipation alternating with diarrhea
  • Thin, pencil-like stools
  • Rectal pain
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Been using laxatives for several weeks or self care is not working

Call your child's pediatrician immediately if:

  • An infant (except those exclusively breastfed) goes 3 days without a stool and is vomiting or irritable

Also call your child's pediatrician if:

  • An infant younger than 2 months is constipated
  • Non-breastfeeding infants go 3 days without having a bowel movement (call immediately if there is vomiting or irritability)
  • A child is holding back bowel movements in order to resist toilet training

What to expect at your health care provider's office

Your doctor will perform a physical examination, which may include a rectal exam, and ask questions such as:

  • How long have you had constipation?
  • How many days between two bowel movements?
  • Is it worse when you are stressed?
  • What is the color, shape, and consistency of the stools?
  • Is there any bleeding with bowel movements?
  • Do you have any abdominal pain?
  • What surgeries or injuries have you had?
  • What medications do you take?
  • Do you drink coffee or alcohol? Do you smoke?
  • What other symptoms are also present?

The following tests may help diagnose the cause of constipation:

  • Anorectal manometry (pressure measurements of the anus and rectum)
  • Barium enema
  • Complete blood count (CBC)
  • Blood clotting tests (PT or PTT)
  • Colonoscopy
  • Proctosigmoidoscopy (an examination of the lower bowel)
  • Stool studies
  • Upper GI series
  • X-rays of the abdomen

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Review Date: 08/14/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)