Constipation is a symptom rather than a disease and is the most common digestive complaint in the United States. Constipation accounts for an estimated 2.5 million physician visits per year. However, a small percentage of patients are quite debilitated as a result of constipation. Constipation appears to affect people of color 1.3 times more frequently than whites.
History provides the most useful information about the etiology of constipation.
Understanding the type and degree of disability caused by the symptoms is important. Pelvic floor dysfunction manifests by failure of descent of the examining finger and contraction of the upper segment of the sphincter during straining. Serum chemistry may exclude any metabolic causes of constipation, such as hypokalemia and hypercalcemia. Thyroid function tests may be helpful with patients suspected of having hypothyroidism. This study underscores the amount of stool present in a patient s colon.