{"id":12069,"date":"2021-07-04T13:05:43","date_gmt":"2021-07-04T11:05:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lenispharm.hr\/constipation\/what-causes-constipation\/"},"modified":"2021-07-05T21:07:31","modified_gmt":"2021-07-05T19:07:31","slug":"what-causes-constipation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/lenispharm.hr\/en\/constipation\/what-causes-constipation\/","title":{"rendered":"What causes constipation?"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row el_class=”test1″][vc_column][vc_column_text el_class=”test1″]Constipation is not a disease but a symptom, similar to a fever. Various causes can lead to slow bowel function. The intestines slow down because the waves that drive the contents weaken or occur less frequently. According to the cause of origin, constipation is divided into two groups:<\/p>\n

Primary (functional constipation) <\/strong><\/p>\n

Secondary (consequence of illness or taking medication)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Table 2. Constipation classification according to the cause of origin[\/vc_column_text][vc_table vc_table_theme=”classic_blue”]Primarna%20(funkcionalna)%20opstipacija,Sekundarna%20opstipacija|A%20%20%20%20%20Normalno%20tranzitno%20vrijeme,A%20%20%20%20Posljedica%20uzimanja%20lijekova|B%20%20%20%20%20Sporo%20tranzitno%20vrijeme,B%20%20%20%20Posljedica%20drugih%20bolesti|C%20%20%20%20Poreme%C4%87aj%20izbacivanja%20stolice,[\/vc_table][vc_column_text]\"\"Constipation with a normal transit time<\/strong> accounts for 55% of primary constipation. It has not yet been established whether some colon waves are less frequent or weaker. Lifestyle certainly plays a role: prolonged sitting, little movement, skipping breakfast and low fiber foods will negatively affect the motility of the intestine.<\/p>\n

Also, if due to discomfort you avoid “nature’s call”, the likelihood of developing constipation increases. It is not good to suppress “when you need to go” because the colon reflex gradually weakens.<\/p>\n

\"\"Constipation with a slow transit time<\/strong> accounts for 15% of primary constipation. Passage through the colon is slowed here. People with this form of constipation have fewer nerve cells (Cajal cells) that stimulate the intestine muscles to perform the undulating movements. That’s why they have fewer motions in the colon. These people’s colon waves do not enhance after eating or taking laxatives. Their colon is a real slacker.<\/p>\n

Defecation disinergia<\/strong> is an official term for fecal incontinence.<\/p>\n

\"\"The colon works properly. The passage through the colon is not slowed down. All the motions are frequent enough and of sufficient intensity. The stool reaches the end of the colon, but it can not be ejected. At the time of defecation, the colon sphincter and the lower pelvic muscles constrict rather than relax. For this reason, the patients cannot discharge the stool.<\/p>\n

Secondary constipation is caused by other diseases or taking certain medication. There are many drugs that slow the colon. They are listed in Table 3<\/em>. Diseases that slow down bowel movements are listed in Table 4<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Table 3. Medication that causes constipation<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_table vc_table_theme=”classic_blue”]Lijek,Primjer|Protiv%20mu%C4%8Dnine,Ondansetron|Protiv%20bolova,Morfij%2C%20fentanil%2C%20ibuprofen|Za%20tlak,Verapamil%2C%20nifedipin%2C%20atenolol|Za%20mokrenje,Furosemid|Protiv%20gr%C4%8Deva%20crijeva,Mebeverin|Oralni%20kontraceptivi,Estrogen%2C%20progesteron|Dodaci%20prehrani,Preparati%20%C5%BEeljeza%2C%20kalcija|Za%20epilepsiju,Karbamazepin|Za%20psihi%C4%8Dke%20bolesti,Haloperidol%2C%20risperidon%2C%20klorpromazin|Za%20bolesti%20%C5%BEu%C4%8Di,Kolestiramin[\/vc_table][vc_column_text]Table 4 Diseases that cause constipation<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][vc_table vc_table_theme=”simple_blue”]Bolesti%20crijeva,Tumor%20debelog%20crijeva%2C%20priraslice%20nakon%20operacija|Bolesti%20metabolizma,Dijabetes%2C%20slab%20rad%20%C5%A1titnja%C4%8De%2C%20sni%C5%BEeni%20kalij%20u%20krvi%2C%20povi%C5%A1eni%20kalcij%20u%20krvi|Neurolo%C5%A1ke%20bolesti,Stanje%20nakon%20mo%C5%BEdanog%20udara%2C%20Parkinsonova%20bolest%2C%20multipla%20skleroza|Psihijatrijske%20bolesti,Depresija|Bubre%C5%BEne%20bolesti,Povi%C5%A1ena%20urea%20u%20krvi[\/vc_table][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner el_class=”test1″][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Which tests should be done when I’m constipated?<\/h3>\n

If you noticed some of the alarming signs, you need to have a colonoscopy.<\/p>\n

If you don’t have any alarming symptoms, you don’t need additional tests, just therapy.<\/p>\n

The American Gastroenterological Society in its guidelines recommends that in case of constipation you take therapy. Only if therapy does not work should you run tests to see if you may have fecal incontinence or a slow transit through the colon. <\/p>\n

When to suspect fecal incontinence?<\/strong><\/p>\n