Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Constipation risk factors
Introduction
Overview
Overview
The most potent risk factor in the development of constipation is inappropriate diet. Common risk factors include female gender, > 65 years of age, pregnancy, and iron supplements.
Risk Factors
Risk Factors
- The most potent risk factor in the development of constipation is inappropriate diet. Other risk factors include female gender, > 65 years of age, pregnancy, and iron supplements.
Common Risk Factors
- Common risk factors in the development of constipation include:[1]
- Female gender
- More than 65 years of age
- Low-fiber diet
- Pregnancy
- Iron supplements
Less Common Risk Factors
- Less common risk factors in the development of constipation include:[2][3][4][5]
- Recent surgery
- Non-Caucasian race
- African-American race[3]
- Low socioeconomic state[4]
- Low educational status[5]
- Parkinsonism
- Multiple sclerosis
- Diabetes mellitus
- Thyroid disease
- Dementia
- Drugs
References
References
- ↑ Pare P, Ferrazzi S, Thompson WG, Irvine EJ, Rance L (2001). “An epidemiological survey of constipation in canada: definitions, rates, demographics, and predictors of health care seeking”. Am. J. Gastroenterol. 96 (11): 3130–7. doi:10.1111/j.1572-0241.2001.05259.x. PMID 11721760.
- ↑ Talley NJ, Jones M, Nuyts G, Dubois D (2003). “Risk factors for chronic constipation based on a general practice sample”. Am. J. Gastroenterol. 98 (5): 1107–11. doi:10.1111/j.1572-0241.2003.07465.x. PMID 12809835.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Sandler RS, Jordan MC, Shelton BJ (1990). “Demographic and dietary determinants of constipation in the US population”. Am J Public Health. 80 (2): 185–9. PMC 1404600. PMID 2297063.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Johanson JF, Sonnenberg A, Koch TR (1989). “Clinical epidemiology of chronic constipation”. J. Clin. Gastroenterol. 11 (5): 525–36. PMID 2551954.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Everhart JE, Go VL, Johannes RS, Fitzsimmons SC, Roth HP, White LR (1989). “A longitudinal survey of self-reported bowel habits in the United States”. Dig. Dis. Sci. 34 (8): 1153–62. PMID 2787735.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Eiman Ghaffarpasand, M.D. [2]