Constipation
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Definition[edit | edit source]
Chronic constipation is infrequent bowel movements or difficult passage of stools that persists for several weeks or longer.[1]
Clinically Relevant Anatomy[edit | edit source]
Please see the page "Pelvic Floor Anatomy," for further details regarding anatomy.
Clinical Exam[edit | edit source]
Subjective History
Constipation may be considered chronic if you've experienced two or more of these symptoms for the last three months.
Symptoms include:
- Passing fewer than three stools a week
- Having lumpy or hard stools
- Straining to have bowel movements
- Feeling as though there's a blockage in your rectum that prevents bowel movements
- Feeling as though you can't completely empty the stool from your rectum
- Needing help to empty your rectum, such as using your hands to press on your abdomen and using a finger to remove stool from your rectum
Objective Assessment
Outcome Measures
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Mayo Clinic. Constipation. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/constipation/symptoms-causes/syc-20354253