Medical and Health Care

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Constipation

Differential Breakdown

Type

Causes

Type

Functional

Causes

IBS, low fibre diet, dehydration

Type

Endocrine/metabolic

Causes

Hypothyroidism, hypercalcaemia, diabetes

Type

Mechanical

Causes

Colorectal cancer, strictures, faecal impaction

Type

Neurological

Causes

Parkinson’s, MS, spinal injury

Type

Drug-induced

Causes

Opioids, anticholinergics, iron tablets

Investigations

First-line

FBC (anaemia → malignancy possible

U&E, calcium (hypercalcaemia dehydration)

TFT (hypothyroidism)

HbA1c

Advanced

FIT stool test

Faecal calprotectin

Coeliac serology

CT abdomen if red flags present

Red Flags

Pencil thin stools

PR Bleeding

Older age + weight loss → suspect colorectal cancer