Constipation cause

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Concurrent disorders:

 Painful conditions such as haemorrhoids causes the process of defacation to be unpleasant or painful​ and therefore patients may resist the urge to empty the bowel. This prolongs the time the stools spend in the rectum causing the formation of hard faeces which are difficult to pass.

Other conditions such as thyroid disorders (hypothyroidism) also causes constipation, low levels of thyroid slows down bodily functions. Therefore, there are reduced contractions of the muscles in the GI tract to propel contents along. 

 

 

Debility related

 Exercise helps to move the contents along in the intestine, giving the necessary peristalsis

required. In order for peristalsis to occur, this requires good muscle tone in the diaphragm and abdomen in order for stools to be evacuated. However in patients confined to bed for prolonged periods, muscles may weaken and this contributes to consti[ation.

 

 Dehydration causes the formation of hard stools  to a lack of fluid intake and this can be painful and difficult to pass.

 

 Inability to reach toilet can be an issue in patients because they may resist the urge to evacuate the bowels and if it is ignored  the feeling subsides after a few minutes until another mass movement propels more faeces into the rectum. If the urge to defaecate is ignored repeatedly, eventually the reflex will be blunted and do not sense the need to evacuate the bowel anymore.