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| | Twisting of a loop of intestine (volvulus), hernia, adhesions, and fecal impaction Usually vomiting, crampy abdominal pain, and a distended abdomen | |
| | Major acute illness, such as sepsis (a severe infection of the bloodstream) Immediately after abdominal surgery Recent head or spinal cord injury | |
| | Drugs with anticholinergic effects, such as antihistamines, some antidepressants, antipsychotic drugs, drugs used to treat Parkinson disease, and drugs that reduce or stop muscle spasms in the digestive tract (antispasmodic drugs) Drugs containing certain metals (iron, aluminum, calcium, barium, or bismuth) Usually constipation that begins shortly after starting a new drug | A doctor's examination to exclude other causes of constipation Sometimes stopping the drug to see whether constipation resolves |
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| | Often constipation that has recently developed, persists for weeks, and gradually worsens as the tumor grows Sometimes blood in stool (blood may be visible or detected during a doctor's examination) | |
| | Diabetes mellitus Diabetes Mellitus (DM) Diabetes mellitus is a disorder in which the body does not produce enough or respond normally to insulin, causing blood sugar (glucose) levels to be abnormally high. Urination and thirst are... read more , an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism Hypothyroidism Hypothyroidism is underactivity of the thyroid gland that leads to inadequate production of thyroid hormones and a slowing of vital body functions. Facial expressions become dull, the voice... read more  ), high levels of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia Hypercalcemia (High Level of Calcium in the Blood) In hypercalcemia, the level of calcium in blood is too high. A high calcium level may result from a problem with the parathyroid glands, as well as from diet, cancer, or disorders affecting... read more  ), kidney failure Overview of Kidney Failure This chapter includes a new section on COVID-19 and acute kidney injury (AKI). Kidney failure is the inability of the kidneys to adequately filter metabolic waste products from the blood. Kidney... read more , or pregnancy | |
Central nervous system disorders (affecting the brain or spinal cord) | Parkinson disease Parkinson Disease (PD) Parkinson disease is a slowly progressive degenerative disorder of specific areas of the brain. It is characterized by tremor when muscles are at rest (resting tremor), increased muscle tone... read more , multiple sclerosis Multiple Sclerosis (MS) In multiple sclerosis, patches of myelin (the substance that covers most nerve fibers) and underlying nerve fibers in the brain, optic nerves, and spinal cord are damaged or destroyed. The cause... read more , stroke Overview of Stroke A stroke occurs when an artery to the brain becomes blocked or ruptures, resulting in death of an area of brain tissue due to loss of its blood supply (cerebral infarction) and symptoms that... read more , or spinal cord injury or disorders Injuries of the Spinal Cord and Vertebrae Most spinal cord injuries result from motor vehicle crashes, falls, assaults, and sports injuries. Symptoms, such as loss of sensation, loss of muscle strength, and loss of bowel, bladder, and... read more  | |
Peripheral nervous system disorders (affecting nerves outside the brain and spinal cord) | | Sometimes x-rays after barium is inserted in the rectum (barium enema) and/or biopsy |
| | Systemic sclerosis Systemic Sclerosis Systemic sclerosis is a rare, chronic autoimmune rheumatic disorder characterized by degenerative changes and scarring in the skin, joints, and internal organs and by blood vessel abnormalities... read more  , amyloidosis Amyloidosis Amyloidosis is a rare disease in which abnormally folded proteins form amyloid fibrils that accumulate in various tissues and organs, sometimes leading to organ dysfunction, organ failure, and... read more  , skin inflammation plus muscle inflammation and muscle degeneration (dermatomyositis Autoimmune Myositis Autoimmune myositis causes inflammation and weakness in the muscles (polymyositis) or in the skin and muscles (dermatomyositis). Muscle damage may cause muscle pain and muscle weakness may cause... read more  ), or weakness and stiff muscles (myotonic dystrophy Myotonic Dystrophy Myotonic dystrophy is a rare muscular dystrophy. This disorder affects the ability to relax the muscles at will. Myotonia refers to delayed relaxation after muscle contraction, which can cause... read more ) | Sometimes biopsy and/or blood tests |
| | Often a sense of a blockage in the anus and/or rectum, prolonged or difficult defecation, or excessive straining | |
| | Low-fiber diet or chronic laxative abuse | |
