Constipation - Diagnosis

The diagnosis is based on the following:

• Clinical history and physical examination: it is very important for our doctors to understand the patient’s perspective of constipation – the exact symptoms they suffer from. Our doctors will also conduct a physical examination of the patient’s abdomen to look for distension, hard stool or mass.
• Psychological assessment: constipation could well be linked to emotional disturbances or life situations. During a thorough case evaluation, our doctors will be on the lookout for such causes.
• Investigations : Routine blood tests to rule out hormonal disorders and a stool test to check for blood in the stool may be advised.

Complications

Piles: this is the most common complication of constipation.

Anal fissures: fissures are tears in the walls of the rectum, leading to pain and discomfort. They get worse by dry, hard stools.

Faecal impaction: faecal impaction can sometimes lead to a number of other complications, including swelling of the rectum, loss of sensation and a lack of control over urine and stools or rectal prolapse.

Psychological complications

• affecting the mood, i.e., anxiety and irritability
• social withdrawal due to complications
• interference in day-to-day activities
• negative impact on health