Constipation
Constipation is unsatisfactory defaecation because stools are infrequent, hard, difficult or incomplete; most is functional or medication-related and responds to a stepwise laxative plan, but obstruction, impaction and colorectal-cancer symptoms must be recognised before routine treatment.
Definition
Constipation is unsatisfactory defaecation because stools are infrequent, hard, difficult to pass or incompletely evacuated. It may be functional, medication-related or secondary to metabolic, neurological, anorectal or structural disease. Faecal impaction is retained stool that may cause overflow soiling and complications.
First principles
Constipation is a symptom pattern, not just a stool count
People may describe hard stools, straining, incomplete evacuation, painful defaecation, a sense of blockage or infrequent bowel movements. A change from the person's usual pattern matters more than an arbitrary universal frequency threshold, and overflow soiling can occur when a hard stool mass is retained.
This page is exam revision material, not medical advice, and must not be used for patient care. Always check drug doses against the BNF and current guidance. Full disclaimer.