Misdiagnosis of Underlying Causes of Constipation

About underlying conditions: With a diagnosis of Constipation, it is important to consider whether there is an underlying condition causing Constipation. These are other medical conditions that may possibly cause Constipation. For general information on this form of misdiagnosis, see Underlying Condition Misdiagnosis or Overview of Misdiagnosis

Underlying conditions list: The list of possible underlying conditions mentioned in various sources for Constipation includes:

Dehydration
Poor diet
Low-fiber diet
Inadequate water intake
Laxative abuse
Inadequate exercise
Potty training difficulties - various problems such as bad previous experiences, unfamiliar environments, family stress, and so on can cause problems with constipation in young children.
Pregnancy
Advancing age
Travel-related constipation
Poor bowel habits
Certain medications
Various medical conditions:
Digestive disorders
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Bowel inflammation (see Bowel problems)
- Crohn's disease
- Colon problems (see Bowel problems)
- Colon polyp
- Colon tumor
- Colon cancer
- Rectum problems
- Intestinal problems
- Greedy colon
- Intestinal obstruction
- Intestinal adhesions
- Diverticulosis
- Intestine tumors
- Colorectal stricture
- Hirschsprung's disease
- Chronic idiopathic constipation
- Vitamin B deficiency - causing colon muscles to misfunction.
Anorectal conditions
- Anorectal dysfunction
- Anismus
- Rectal prolapse
Painful defecation (see Pain) - any cause of painful defecation, especially in children, may cause them to hold back a bowel movement leading to constipation.
- Hemorrhoids
- Anal fissure
- Rectal bleeding (type of Gastrointestinal bleeding)
Certain drugs

Constipation as a complication: Other conditions that might have Constipation as a complication might be potential underlying conditions. The list of conditions listing Constipation as a complication includes:

Constipation as a symptom: Conditions listing Constipation as a symptom may also be potential underlying conditions:

Last revision: Nov 10, 2003

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