ETIOLOGIES OF CHRONIC CONSTIPATION
Systemic Causes
Diet
Low fiber intake
Low fluid intake
Medications
Antidepressants
Anticholinergics
Antihypertensives
Calcium channel blockers
Diuretics
Clonidine HCl
Narcotics
Calcium supplements
Iron supplements
Antacids (aluminum and calcium based)
Minerals/metals (arsenic, lead, iron)
Anticonvulsants
Cholestyramine
NSAIDs
Antiparkinsonians
Antipsychotics
Hypopituitarism
Pregnancy
Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma)
Polymyositis
Chaga’s disease
Cerebral vascular accident (CVA)
von Recklinghausen’s disease
Intracranial tumors
Spinal cord injury
Syphilis (tertiary)
Depression
Mechanical
Colorectal cancer
Radiation induced strictures
Ischemic colitis
Diverticular disease
Anal stenosis
Rectal prolapse
Rectocele
Volvulus
Hirshsprung’s disease
Anorectal fissure
Functional
Pelvic floor dysfunction
Rectocele
Enterocele
Cystocele
Uterine prolapse
Pelvic floor trauma secondary to prior vaginal child birth
Menopause without estrogen replacement
Slow transit constipation