For The Latest Medical News, Health News, Research News, COVID-19 News, Pharma News, Glaucoma News, Diabetes News, Herb News, Phytochemical News, Thailand Cannabis News, Cancer News, Doctor News, Thailand Hospital News, Oral Cancer News, Thailand Doctors
Constipation is defined as difficulty in passing stools, infrequent defecation or both. There is usually a reduced stool frequency or less than 3 defecations per week.
The frequency of 3 times per week is different from different individuals. For some this may be a normal habit and any change or reduction in frequency is considered to be constipation in these individuals.
Difficulty in passing stools includes features like:-
Chronic Idiopathic Constipation (CIC) is defined as the chronic presence of these symptoms. It is called idiopathic because the cause of this type of constipation is unknown and it is not caused by underlying illness or medication.
Chronic constipation is further defined as the presence of these symptoms for at least 6 months. Idiopathic constipation accounts for 75% of cases of chronic constipation cases.
Two types of idiopathic constipation have been distinguished:-
Slow transit constipation - This condition results when there is failure of the fecal matter to move through the colon at a normal rate. The exact cause of this condition is unclear.
Functional outlet obstruction or evacuation disorders - This is also referred to in the literature as spastic pelvic floor syndrome, paradoxical puborectalis contraction or anismus. An obstruction in the anus may be due to abnormality in the pelvic floor muscles. During straining of defecation in these disorders the puborectalis muscle contracts instead of relaxing and the anal canal remains closed. This prevents defecation.