Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsMedical HistoryPhysical ExaminationLabs and TestsImaging and Diagnostic StudiesFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Constipation Guide10 Foods That Help You Poop and Ease Constipation
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Medical History
Physical Examination
Labs and Tests
Imaging and Diagnostic Studies
Frequently Asked Questions
Next in Constipation Guide
Constipationis a very common problem and refers to stools that are too hard or too small, difficult to pass, or infrequent (occurring less than three times per week). Constipation may exist on its own or it may be due to an underlying condition or problem such as an underactive thyroid gland, a neurological disorder, medication use, dehydration, or more seriously, intestinal obstruction or colorectal cancer.
Grace Cary
Diagnosing constipation and teasing apart its potential causes can sometimes be done with a medical history and physical examination alone. In some cases, however, further tests may need to be performed, such as blood tests, a colonoscopy, or imaging studies.
It is important to note that constipation in children is assessed differently than in adults—the following information focuses on constipation in adults.
In addition, your healthcare provider will ask you several specific questions about your symptoms. Some example questions may include:
Finally, your healthcare provider will also likely inquire about the shape and consistency of your stool, as this can help pinpoint down a diagnosis. More specifically, your healthcare provider may ask you to look at theBristol Stool Chartto identify what your stool looks like.
When Is Constipation Considered an Emergency?
During your physical examination, your healthcare provider will check your vitals and weight and then inspect and press on your abdomen to evaluate for swelling, tenderness, and masses or lumps. She or he will also use his stethoscope to listen to intestinal sounds in your abdomen.
Moreover, your healthcare provider may also ask you to strain (like when having a bowel movement) to identify potentialrectal prolapse, fecal impaction (you may see leakage of stool), or pelvic floor dysfunction.
The last part of your physical examination will entail adigital rectal examination, in which your healthcare provider will insert a lubricated, gloved finger into your anus. This maneuver can be used to further access for rectal tone, masses or tears, fecal impaction, and pelvic floor dysfunction.
Depending on findings from your medical history and physical exam, various blood tests and/or a colonoscopy may be ordered. For example, if your healthcare provider suspectshypothyroidismas a potential cause of your constipation, athyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)blood test will be ordered.
Examples of other blood tests that may be ordered include:
Colonoscopyis not generally recommended for adults with constipation. However, if the below symptoms are present, an endoscopy evaluation (usually a colonoscopy, but sometimes a flexible sigmoidoscopy in younger patients), is generally warranted to rule out cancer or other serious conditions:
In addition, a colonoscopy is warranted if a person is about to undergo surgery for constipation or is age 45 years or older and has not yet undergone standard colo-rectal cancer screening with a colonoscopy.
Imaging and Other Diagnostic Studies
Sometimes, imaging and other diagnostic studies are warranted for specific potential diagnoses. For instance, if your healthcare provider is worried about intestinal obstruction, abdominal X-rays may be ordered. Likewise,colonic transit studiesmay be ordered to evaluate how well stool moves through the colon.
Other diagnostic studies may include:
A Word From Verywell
While constipation is a very common problem, it may be a symptom of an underlying health condition or problem. This is why it’s important to not self-diagnose but rather see a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis.
Seeking medical attention is especially important if your constipation is lasting longer than a couple of weeks, is severe or new, or is associated with other worrisome symptoms like bleeding, unintended weight loss, fever, vomiting, or pain. Early intervention is always key. It’s important not to panic if you do have constipation, but to take any unusual health issue seriously for your long-term health.
Chronic constipation is defined as having fewer than three bowel movements per week with hard stool that is difficult to pass, and symptoms last for longer than six months.
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Jamshed N, Lee ZE, Olden KW.Diagnostic approach to chronic constipation in adults.Am Fam Physician.2011;84(3):299-306.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diagnosis of Constipation. 2018.Gray JR.What is chronic constipation? Definition and diagnosis.Can J Gastroenterol. 2011;25 Suppl B:7B-10B.Additional ReadingASGE Standards of Practice Committee et al. The role of endoscopy in the management of constipation.Gastrointest Endosc. 2014 Oct;80(4):563-65. doi:10.1016/j.gie.2014.06.018Bharucha AE, Pemberton JH, Locke GR 3rd. American Gastroenterological Association technical review on constipation.Gastroenterology. 2013 Jan;144(1):218-38. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2012.10.028Jamshed N, Olden KW.Diagnostic Approach to Chronic Constipation in Adults.Am Fam Physician. 2011 Aug 1;84(3):299-306.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2018).Diagnosis of Constipation.
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Jamshed N, Lee ZE, Olden KW.Diagnostic approach to chronic constipation in adults.Am Fam Physician.2011;84(3):299-306.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diagnosis of Constipation. 2018.Gray JR.What is chronic constipation? Definition and diagnosis.Can J Gastroenterol. 2011;25 Suppl B:7B-10B.Additional ReadingASGE Standards of Practice Committee et al. The role of endoscopy in the management of constipation.Gastrointest Endosc. 2014 Oct;80(4):563-65. doi:10.1016/j.gie.2014.06.018Bharucha AE, Pemberton JH, Locke GR 3rd. American Gastroenterological Association technical review on constipation.Gastroenterology. 2013 Jan;144(1):218-38. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2012.10.028Jamshed N, Olden KW.Diagnostic Approach to Chronic Constipation in Adults.Am Fam Physician. 2011 Aug 1;84(3):299-306.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2018).Diagnosis of Constipation.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Jamshed N, Lee ZE, Olden KW.Diagnostic approach to chronic constipation in adults.Am Fam Physician.2011;84(3):299-306.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diagnosis of Constipation. 2018.Gray JR.What is chronic constipation? Definition and diagnosis.Can J Gastroenterol. 2011;25 Suppl B:7B-10B.
Jamshed N, Lee ZE, Olden KW.Diagnostic approach to chronic constipation in adults.Am Fam Physician.2011;84(3):299-306.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diagnosis of Constipation. 2018.
Gray JR.What is chronic constipation? Definition and diagnosis.Can J Gastroenterol. 2011;25 Suppl B:7B-10B.
ASGE Standards of Practice Committee et al. The role of endoscopy in the management of constipation.Gastrointest Endosc. 2014 Oct;80(4):563-65. doi:10.1016/j.gie.2014.06.018Bharucha AE, Pemberton JH, Locke GR 3rd. American Gastroenterological Association technical review on constipation.Gastroenterology. 2013 Jan;144(1):218-38. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2012.10.028Jamshed N, Olden KW.Diagnostic Approach to Chronic Constipation in Adults.Am Fam Physician. 2011 Aug 1;84(3):299-306.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2018).Diagnosis of Constipation.
ASGE Standards of Practice Committee et al. The role of endoscopy in the management of constipation.Gastrointest Endosc. 2014 Oct;80(4):563-65. doi:10.1016/j.gie.2014.06.018
Bharucha AE, Pemberton JH, Locke GR 3rd. American Gastroenterological Association technical review on constipation.Gastroenterology. 2013 Jan;144(1):218-38. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2012.10.028
Jamshed N, Olden KW.Diagnostic Approach to Chronic Constipation in Adults.Am Fam Physician. 2011 Aug 1;84(3):299-306.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2018).Diagnosis of Constipation.
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