You can’t just hear 'I’m constipated' and reach for a laxative. You need a detailed history and physical examination to rule out the scary stuff before you ever land on a diagnosis of idiopathic constipation.
Based on cks and nice, teach me on assessment, investigations, differential diagnosis and formal diagnosis and management of constipation






![[PDF] Management of Constipation in Adults](https://d1y2du6z1jfm9e.cloudfront.net/assets/podcast/yellow.png)
Constipation is defined by more than just stool frequency; it involves the passage of hardened stools that are often large, painful, and require significant straining. In adults, a primary indicator is the persistent feeling of unsatisfactory or incomplete defecation. For children, a diagnosis of idiopathic constipation typically requires at least two specific features, such as fewer than three complete stools per week, the presence of large or hard stools, or instances of overflow soiling in children over one year old.
The range of what is considered 'normal' changes significantly as a person grows. For example, a newborn in their first week of life may average four bowel movements a day. However, by the time a child reaches four years of age, the frequency can naturally drop to just three times a week. Understanding this wide range of normal stool frequency is essential for parents and adults to avoid unnecessary stress when monitoring digestive health and identifying potential issues.
Idiopathic constipation in children is diagnosed when no anatomical or physiological cause is found, but specific clinical features are present. These features include having fewer than three complete stools in a week, passing stools that are notably hard or large, and experiencing painful bowel movements. Additionally, for children over the age of one, overflow soiling is a key diagnostic indicator that helps clinicians identify the condition and distinguish it from other digestive concerns.
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