Editing Constipation (section)

=== Description ===
Distinguish between acute (days to weeks) or chronic (months to years) onset of constipation because this information changes the [[differential diagnosis]]. This in the context of accompanied symptoms helps physicians discover the cause of constipation. People often describe their constipation as bowel movements that are difficult to pass, firm stool with lumpy or hard consistency, and excessive straining during bowel movements. Bloating, abdominal [[Abdominal distension|distension]], and abdominal pain often accompany constipation.<ref name=LTierneyBook>{{cite book|vauthors = Tierney LM, Henderson MC, Smetana GW|title=The patient history: an evidence-based approach to differential diagnosis|date=2012|publisher=McGraw-Hill Medical|location=New York|isbn=978-0-07-162494-7|page=Chapter 32|edition=2nd}}</ref> Chronic constipation (symptoms present at least three days per month for more than three months) associated with abdominal discomfort is often diagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) when no obvious cause is found.<ref>{{cite journal|year=2006|title=Functional bowel disorders|journal=Gastroenterology|volume=130|issue=5|pages=1480–91|doi=10.1053/j.gastro.2005.11.061|pmid=16678561|vauthors=Longstreth GF, Thompson WG, Chey WD, Houghton LA, Mearin F, Spiller RC}}</ref>

Poor dietary habits, previous abdominal surgeries, and certain medical conditions can contribute to constipation. Diseases associated with constipation include [[hypothyroidism]], certain types of [[cancer]], and [[irritable bowel syndrome]]. Low fiber intake, inadequate amounts of fluids, poor ambulation or immobility, or medications can contribute to constipation.<ref name="walia"/><ref name="mccallum"/> Once the presence of constipation is identified based on a culmination of the symptoms described above, then the cause of constipation should be figured out.

Separating non-life-threatening from serious causes may be partly based on symptoms. For example, colon cancer may be suspected if a person has a family history of colon cancer, fever, weight loss, and rectal bleeding.<ref name=Jam2011/> Other alarming signs and symptoms include family or personal history of inflammatory bowel disease, age of onset over 50, change in stool caliber, nausea, vomiting, and neurological symptoms like weakness, numbness and difficulty urinating.<ref name=LTierneyBook/>