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"&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The majority of adults will experience &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/constipation-causes-diagnosis-and-treatment-1942582&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot;&amp;gt;constipation&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; at some point in their lives. In most cases, a diagnosis of constipation by a physician isn&amp;amp;#39;t necessary, and constipation can be &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/chronic-constipation-treatment-1945258&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;2&amp;quot;&amp;gt;treated at home&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; with non-invasive methods. Sometimes a physician may be consulted on the type of treatment that would be the safest and most effective, but a formal work-up to diagnose constipation would not be done. This would be especially true for young people who have no history of constipation or digestive disease.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;For older people, or for those who have more complex medical histories, constipation may be a symptom of a more serious illness. In addition to treating the symptoms of constipation, further testing and treatment of the underlying cause is extremely important.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;People with &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/what-is-inflammatory-bowel-disease-1941655&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;3&amp;quot;&amp;gt;inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; are more likely to experience &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/signs-you-may-have-ibd-1942663&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;4&amp;quot;&amp;gt;diarrhea&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;, but, rarely, people with &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/crohns-disease-1942485&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;5&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Crohn&amp;amp;#39;s disease&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; may also experience constipation. Constipation in Crohn&amp;amp;#39;s disease could be due to a &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/strictureplasty-surgery-for-crohns-disease-1942537&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;6&amp;quot;&amp;gt;stricture&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;, an &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/what-is-a-bowel-obstruction-1943010&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;7&amp;quot;&amp;gt;obstruction&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;, or disease in the &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/large-intestine-797216&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;8&amp;quot;&amp;gt;rectum&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;History of Constipation&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;A first step in diagnosing constipation would be to find out more from the patient about the digestive signs and symptoms they are experiencing. Some questions a physician might ask include:&amp;lt;ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;How often do you have a &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/what-is-stool-inflammatory-bowel-disease-1943035&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;9&amp;quot;&amp;gt;bowel movement&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;?&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;What is the consistency of your bowel movements (such as hard or lumpy)?&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Do you ever ignore the urge to have a bowel movement?&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Do you strain while having a bowel movement?&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;What is your normal diet?&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Do you experience pain or other symptoms before or after a bowel movement?&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;How often do you exercise?&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;A physician may also ask questions regarding a general health history, such as the presence of any other diseases or a history of abdominal surgery. Some questions may seem unrelated to the &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/what-is-the-digestive-system-1943098&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;10&amp;quot;&amp;gt;digestive system&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;, but having a complete picture can help pinpoint the cause of constipation.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;Physical Exam&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;One common test that is used during the diagnosis of constipation would be a &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/digital-rectal-exams-1941612&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;11&amp;quot;&amp;gt;digital rectal exam&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;. During this test, the physician will put on a pair of gloves, lubricate the index finger, and insert that finger into the &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/signs-and-symptoms-of-inflammatory-bowel-disease-1942592&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;12&amp;quot;&amp;gt;anus&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;. This exam is often done quickly to minimize discomfort to the patient, but a physician can tell a great deal about the anus and the condition of the anal sphincter during this brief test. In addition, if the physician finds blood, &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/what-can-cause-mucus-in-the-stool-1943021&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;13&amp;quot;&amp;gt;mucus&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;, or &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/what-is-stool-inflammatory-bowel-disease-1943035&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;14&amp;quot;&amp;gt;stool&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; in the rectum, that can provide some clues about what is going on inside the rectum. If there is something found amiss, a colonoscopy may be done to further determine what is causing the constipation.&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;Diagnosing Chronic Constipation&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Other tests used in the diagnosis of chronic constipation include:&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Blood tests, to rule out certain reasons for constipation, such as &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/constipation-and-the-thyroid-thyroid-disease-3233144&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;15&amp;quot;&amp;gt;thyroid disease&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;.&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Colonic transit rate test, which shows how long it takes food to move through the intestines.&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt; &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-barium-enemas-1941627&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;16&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Barium x-ray&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;, which uses contrast dye to make the &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/what-is-the-colon-796819&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;17&amp;quot;&amp;gt;colon&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; more visible and show any irregularities, such as a &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/what-is-a-bowel-obstruction-1943010&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;18&amp;quot;&amp;gt;blockage&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;.&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Endoscopy, such as &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/what-is-a-sigmoidoscopy-1941631&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;19&amp;quot;&amp;gt;sigmoidoscopy&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; and &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/what-to-expect-during-a-colonoscopy-1941625&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;20&amp;quot;&amp;gt;colonoscopy&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;, which uses a camera and gives the most complete look at the lower gastrointestinal tract.&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;Sources:&amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC). &amp;amp;#34;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/constipation/&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;externalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;21&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Constipation&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;.&amp;amp;#34; National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) July 2007. 08 Sept 2011. &amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;The Nemours Foundation. &amp;amp;#34;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/digestive/ibd.html&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;externalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;22&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Inflammatory Bowel Disease&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;.&amp;amp;#34; KidsHealth.org 2011. 08 Sept 2011. &amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;Ternent CA, Bastawrous AL, Morin NA, Ellis CN, Hyman NH, Buie WD, Standards Practice Task Force of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. &amp;amp;#34;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;http://www.guideline.gov/content.aspx?id&amp;amp;#61;12544&amp;amp;amp;search&amp;amp;#61;constipation&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;externalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;23&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Practice parameters for the evaluation and management of constipation&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;.&amp;amp;#34; Dis Colon Rectum 2007 Dec;50:2013-2022. 08 Sept 2011.&amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<https://www.verywell.com/diagnosing-constipation-1942578>