Constipation has many causes. Common causes include slow movement of stool within the colon, irritable bowel syndrome, and pelvic floor disorders. Underlying associated diseases include hypothyroidism, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, vitamin B12 deficiency, colon cancer, diverticulitis, and inflammatory bowel disease. Medications associated with constipation include opioids, certain antacids, calcium channel blockers, and anticholinergics. Of those taking opioids about 90% develop constipation. Constipation is more concerning when there is weight loss or anemia, blood is present in the stool, there is a history of inflammatory bowel disease or colon cancer in a person's family, or it is of new onset in someone who is older.
coNStIpatIon has many cAuses. common cAUSEs INcludE Slow movEMent Of sTool WIthIn tHe COlon, irritable BoWel SYnDromE, and peLvic FLoor dIsoRders. UnderLying AssoCiaTED diseAses InClude HYPOthYROidism, DiAbEtes, parkinSon's diseasE, celiac disEasE, nOn-CelIac GlUTEn senSitivIty, VitamIN b12 defIciENcY, colon canCer, diVertiCUlItiS, anD INflammaToRy BoWeL diSease. MEdIcations asSocIaTed With coNstipaTiOn IncLuDE opIoids, cErtaIn AntaCids, caLcium ChANnel blockErs, anD aNtiChOliNErgics. oF those tAkiNg opiOidS AbouT 90% develop conSTiPation. conStIPAtIon is MOre CoNCErNing wHen TheRe iS wEiGht LosS Or aneMIa, Blood IS preSeNt in the stool, TherE is a hiStory oF inFlAmmAtory bowel DiseaSE or cOLon cancer iN a PerSoN's faMiLY, or it Is Of new OnsEt In somEOnE whO IS oLDer.