Constipation (also known as costiveness , and dyssynergic defaecation ) refers to bowel movements that are infrequent or hard to pass. Constipation is a common cause of painful defecation. Severe constipation includes obstipation (failure to pass stools or gas) and fecal impaction (see also Bowel obstruction ). Constipation is common; in the general population incidence of constipation varies from 2 to 30%. Constipation is a symptom with many causes. These causes are of two types: obstructed defecation and colonic slow transit (or hypomobility). About 50% of patients evaluated for constipation at tertiary referral hospitals have obstructed defecation. This type of constipation has mechanical and functional causes. Causes of colonic slow transit constipation include diet , hormones , side effects of medications, and heavy metal toxicity. Treatments include changes in dietary habits, laxatives , enemas , biofeedback , and surgery . Because constipation is a symptom, not a disease, effective treatment of constipation may require first determining the cause.
Constipation