Constipation is a symptom rather than a disease. It is the most common digestive complaint in the United States. Constipation results from a colonic or anorectal functional disorder. However, a small percentage of patients are quite debilitated as a result of constipation. Constipation appears to affect non-Caucasians 1.3 times more frequently than Caucasians.
History provides the most useful information about etiology of constipation.
In pelvic outlet dysfunction much stool is present in the rectal vault, compared to colonic inertia or irritable bowel syndrome, in which there is little or no stool in the rectum between defecations. Pelvic floor dysfunction is evidenced 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 amount of stool present in a patient s colon.