This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Investigation

Authoring team

In children, constipation is usually diagnosed based on the history and the examination. If chronic constipation occurs, then more extensive investigation for conditions such as Hirschsprung's disease is warranted.

In elderly patients, the constipation should be treated and then the patient investigated e.g. via sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy, to exclude carcinoma or diverticular disease. Other tests aimed at excluding endocrine and metabolic abnormalities - hypothyroidism, hypercalcaemia, dehydration - should be initiated. A patient's drug history should be reviewed for a possible aetiological agent.


Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.