Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Etiology of Acquired Colorectal Disease: Constipation

  • Chapter
Constipation

Conclusion

There are many causes of acquired constipation, and unfortunately, many patients have constipation due to a combination of these. A careful patient history and evaluation is necessary in order to determine the etiology, which is outlined in succeeding chapters. It is wise to begin with the least invasive and safest treatment and then proceed with further treatment, only if this initial treatment fails. The next few years will likely see the development of more effective pharmacotherapy for slow-transit colonic constipation, and thereby greatly facilitate the treatment of affected individuals.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Rome II: The functional gastrointestinal disorders: diagnosis, pathophysiology and treatment—a multinational consensus. In: Drossman DA, Talley NJ, Corazziari ES et al., 2nd ed. McLean, VA: Degnon Associates, 2000:382.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Whitehead WG, Drinkwater D, Cheskin LJ, et al. Constipation in the elderly living at home: definition, prevalence and relationship to lifestyle and health status. J Am Geriatr Soc 1989;37:423–429.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Xing JH, Soffer EE. Adverse effects of laxatives. Dis Colon Rectum 2001;44:1201–1209.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Krishnamurthy S, Schuffler MD, Rohrmann CA, et al. Severe idiopathic constipation is associated with a distinctive abnormality of the colonic myenteric plexus. Gastroenterology 1985;88:26–34.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Riemann JF, Schmidt H. Ultrastructural changes in the gut autonomic nervous system following laxative abuse and in other conditions. Scand J Gastroenterol Suppl 1982;71:111–124.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Hudson L, Britten V. Immune response to South American trypanosomiasis and its relationship to Chagas’ disease. Br Med Bull 1985;41:175–180.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Olivares-Villagomez D, McCurley TL, Vnencak-Jones CL, et al. Polymerase chain reaction amplifications of three different Trypanosoma cruzi DNA sequences form human chagasic cardiac tissue. Am J Trop Med Hyg 1998;59:563–570.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Halligan S, Bertram CI. Is barium trapping in rectoceles significant? Dis Colon Rectum 1995;38:764–768.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Van Dam JH, Ginai AZ, Crosselink MJ, et al. Role of defecography in predicting clinical outcome of rectocele repair. Dis Colon Rectum 1997;40:201–227.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Kelvin FM, Magliate DD, Hornback JA. Pelvic prolapse: assessment with evacuation proctography (defecography). Radiology 1992;184:547–551.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Siproudhis L, Robert A, Lucas J, et al. Defecatory disorders, anorectal and pelvic floor dysfunction: a polygamy? Radiologic and manometric studies in 41 patients. Int J Colorectal Dis 1992;7:102–107.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Beven JT. Female Pelvic Floor Disorders: Investigation and Management. New York: W.W. Norton, 1992:380–389.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Johansson C, Nilsson BY, Holmstrom B, et al. Association between rectocele and paradoxical sphincter response. Dis Colon Rectum 1992;35:503–509.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Karasick S, Karasick D, Karasick SR. Functional disorders of the anus and rectum: findings on defecography. AJR 1993;160:777–782.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Jorge JM, Wexner SD, Ger GC, et al. Cinedefecography and electromyography in the diagnosis of nonrelaxing puborectalis syndrome. Dis Colon Rectum 1993;36:668–676.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Shelton AA, Welton ML. The pelvic floor in health and disease. West J Med 1997;167:90–98.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Leroi AM, Berkelmans I, Denis P, et al. Anisumus as a marker of sexual abuse. Consequences of abuse on anorectal motility. Dig Dis Sci 1995;40:1411–1416.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Altomare DF, Portincasa P, Rinaldi M, et al. Slow-transit constipation: a solitary symptom of a systemic gastrointestinal disease. Dis Colon Rectum 1999;42:231–240.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. van der Sijp JR, Kamm MA, Nightingale JM, et al. Disturbed gastric and small bowel transit in severe idiopathic constipation. Dig Dis Sci 1993;38:837–844.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Donald A, Baxter JN, Bessent RG, et al. Gastric emptying in patients with constipation following childbirth and due to idiopathic slow transit. Br J Surg 1997;84:1141–1143.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Zhao R, Baig MK, Wexner SD, et al. Enterochromaffin and serotonin cells are abnormal for patients with colonic inertia. Dis Colon Rectum 2000;43:858–863.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Haga K, Arsano K, Fukuda T, et al. The function of 5-HT3 receptors on colonic transit in rats. Obes Res 1995;5:801S–810S.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Goldin E, Karmelli F, Selinger Z, et al. Colonic substance P levels are increased in ulcerative colitis and decreased in chronic severe constipation. Dig Dis Sci 1989;34:754–757.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Kamm MA. Investigation and management of megarectum and megacolon. Hosp Update 1993;19:280–288.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Preston DM, Lennard-Jones JE, Thomas BM. Towards a radiologic definition of idiopathic megacolon. Gastrointest Radiol 1985;10:167–169.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Gattuso JM, Kamm MA, Morris G, et al. Gastrointestinal transit in patients with idiopathic megarectum. Dis Colon Rectum 1996;39:1044–1050.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Koch TR, Schulte-Bockholt A, Telford GL, et al. Acquired megacolon is associated with alteration of vasoactive intestinal peptide levels and acetylcholinesterase activity. Regul Pept 1993;48:309–319.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Gattuso JM, Hoyle CH, Milner P, et al. Enteric innervation in idiopathic megarectum and megacolon. Int J Colorectal Dis 1996;11:264–271.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA

    Peter J. Deveaux MD & Susan Galandiuk MD

Authors
  1. Peter J. Deveaux MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Susan Galandiuk MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, FL, USA

    Steven D. Wexner MD, FACS, FRCS, FRCS (Ed) (21st Century Oncology Chair in Colorectal Surgery Chairman, Department of Colorectal Surgery Chief of Staff, Professor of Surgery and Clinical Professor of Surgery) (21st Century Oncology Chair in Colorectal Surgery Chairman, Department of Colorectal Surgery Chief of Staff, Professor of Surgery and Clinical Professor of Surgery)

  2. Ohio State University Health Sciences Center at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Columbus, OH, USA

    Steven D. Wexner MD, FACS, FRCS, FRCS (Ed) (21st Century Oncology Chair in Colorectal Surgery Chairman, Department of Colorectal Surgery Chief of Staff, Professor of Surgery and Clinical Professor of Surgery) (21st Century Oncology Chair in Colorectal Surgery Chairman, Department of Colorectal Surgery Chief of Staff, Professor of Surgery and Clinical Professor of Surgery)

  3. University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA

    Steven D. Wexner MD, FACS, FRCS, FRCS (Ed) (21st Century Oncology Chair in Colorectal Surgery Chairman, Department of Colorectal Surgery Chief of Staff, Professor of Surgery and Clinical Professor of Surgery) (21st Century Oncology Chair in Colorectal Surgery Chairman, Department of Colorectal Surgery Chief of Staff, Professor of Surgery and Clinical Professor of Surgery)

  4. Charles E. Schmitt College of Science, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, USA

    Steven D. Wexner MD, FACS, FRCS, FRCS (Ed) (21st Century Oncology Chair in Colorectal Surgery Chairman, Department of Colorectal Surgery Chief of Staff, Professor of Surgery and Clinical Professor of Surgery) (21st Century Oncology Chair in Colorectal Surgery Chairman, Department of Colorectal Surgery Chief of Staff, Professor of Surgery and Clinical Professor of Surgery)

  5. University of Hull, Cattingham, UK

    Graeme S. Duthie MD, FRCS, FRCSEd (Reader in Surgery and Honorary Consultant Colorectal Surgeon) (Reader in Surgery and Honorary Consultant Colorectal Surgeon)

  6. Hull and East Yorkshire NHS Trust, Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham, UK

    Graeme S. Duthie MD, FRCS, FRCSEd (Reader in Surgery and Honorary Consultant Colorectal Surgeon) (Reader in Surgery and Honorary Consultant Colorectal Surgeon)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2006 Springer-Verlag London Limited

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Deveaux, P.J., Galandiuk, S. (2006). Etiology of Acquired Colorectal Disease: Constipation. In: Wexner, S.D., Duthie, G.S. (eds) Constipation. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84628-275-1_3

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84628-275-1_3

  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-85233-724-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-84628-275-1

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation