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February 10, 2012
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Constipation in Adults (cont.)

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When to Seek Medical Care for Constipation

Call your health care practitioner if you have these concerns:

  • Symptoms are severe and last longer than 3 weeks

  • Recent and significant change in bowel habits, for instance, constipation alternates with diarrhea

  • Severe pain in the anus during a bowel movement

  • Symptoms of other diseases in addition to constipation (for example, tiredness, fatigue, poor tolerance to cold weather may suggest the need to assess thyroid function for hypothyroidism, an underactive gland.)

  • Constipation for 2 weeks or longer with returning abdominal pain, which might be a sign of lead poisoning

When to seek emergency medical care

Although constipation may be extremely uncomfortable, it is usually not serious. It may signal a serious underlying disorder, however, such as cancer of the bowel. Because constipation may lead to complications, go to a hospital's emergency department for any of the following reasons:

  • Rectal bleeding

  • Anal pain and hemorrhoids

  • Anal fissures or cracks in the mucous lining (severe pain during defecation in the anal area)

  • Fecal impaction (immovable intestinal contents) in very young children and in older adults

  • Rectal prolapse or sagging (Occasionally, straining causes a small amount of the intestinal lining to push out from the rectal opening. This may lead to secretion of mucus that may stain the undergarments.)

  • Recurrent vomiting with constipation and abdominal pain (This may suggest intestinal obstruction and needs urgent hospital treatment.)

  • Severe abdominal pain with the constipation that is constant and worsening, especially if it is accompanied by a fever.

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Constipation in Adults - Symptoms

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Read What Your Physician is Reading on Medscape

Constipation »

Constipation is a common symptom, but it often remains unrecognized until the patient develops sequelae, such as anorectal disorders or diverticular disease

Read More on Medscape Reference »

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