Chronic constipation
Constipation for longer than three months with fewer than 3 bowel movements per week, straining, lumpy or hard stools, and a sensation of anorectal obstruction or incomplete defecation.
Also called: Chronic constipation, Infrequent bowel movements.
Conditions associated with chronic constipation
The following conditions have been associated with chronic constipation in medical literature. This is informational and not a diagnosis.
Alacrimia-choreoathetosis-liver dysfunction syndrome
Alacrimia-choreoathetosis-liver dysfunction syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with variou...
CTCF-related neurodevelopmental disorder
A rare, genetic, neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by global developmental delay, borderline to severe...
Classical Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
Classical Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs...
Coffin-Siris syndrome 12
Coffin-Siris syndrome 12 is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Coffin-Siris syndrome 6
Any Coffin-Siris syndrome in which the cause of the disease is a mutation in the ARID2 gene....
Constipation
Infrequent or difficult bowel movements, often caused by diet, dehydration, medications, or underlying conditi...
Early-onset progressive diffuse brain atrophy-microcephaly-muscle weakness-optic atrophy syndrome
Early-onset progressive diffuse brain atrophy-microcephaly-muscle weakness-optic atrophy syndrome is a medical...
Familial Mediterranean fever, AR
Familial Mediterranean fever, AR is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs...
Hao-Fountain syndrome due to 16p13.2 microdeletion
Hao-Fountain syndrome due to 16p13.2 microdeletion is a medical condition that may be associated with various ...
Houge-Janssens syndrome 4
Houge-Janssens syndrome 4 is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Kleefstra syndrome 1
An autosomal dominant non-syndromic intellectual disability that has material basis in an autosomal dominant m...
Mendez-Johnson immunoneurologic syndrome
Mendez-Johnson immunoneurologic syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms a...
Netherton syndrome
Netherton syndrome (NS) is a skin disorder characterized by congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma (CIE), a dis...
Nil-Deshwar neurodevelopmental syndrome
Nil-Deshwar neurodevelopmental syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms an...
PPFIA3-related neurodevelopmental disorder
A neurodevelopmental disorder caused by variation in the PPFIA3 gene. This disorder is characterised by develo...
TNF receptor 1-associated periodic fever syndrome
A periodic fever syndrome, characterized by recurrent fever, arthralgia, myalgia and tender skin lesions lasti...
Tessadori-Van Haaften neurodevelopmental syndrome 3
Tessadori-Van Haaften neurodevelopmental syndrome 3 is a medical condition that may be associated with various...
VISS syndrome
VISS syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
White-Sutton syndrome
White-Sutton syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Williams syndrome
A rare genetic multisystemic neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a distinct facial appearance, cardia...
autoinflammatory syndrome, familial, X-linked, Behcet-like 2
autoinflammatory syndrome, familial, X-linked, Behcet-like 2 is a medical condition that may be associated wit...
cerebellar dysfunction with variable cognitive and behavioral abnormalities
Non-progressive cerebellar ataxia with intellectual deficit is a rare subtype of autosomal dominant cerebellar...
craniofaciocardiohepatic syndrome
craniofaciocardiohepatic syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and sign...
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 100
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 100 is a medical condition that may be associated with various symp...
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 102
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 102 is a medical condition that may be associated with various symp...
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 114
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 114 is a medical condition that may be associated with various symp...
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 120
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 120 is a medical condition that may be associated with various symp...
focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and neurodevelopmental syndrome
A Mendelian diseases characterized by global developmental delay and renal dysfunction manifest as proteinuria...
hereditary spastic paraplegia 12
Autosomal dominant spastic paraplegia type 12 is a pure form of hereditary spastic paraplegia characterized by...
immunodeficiency 133 with ectodermal dysplasia with or without peripheral neuropathy
immunodeficiency 133 with ectodermal dysplasia with or without peripheral neuropathy is a medical condition th...
intellectual developmental disorder, autosomal dominant 76
intellectual developmental disorder, autosomal dominant 76 is a medical condition that may be associated with ...
intellectual developmental disorder, autosomal dominant 77
intellectual developmental disorder, autosomal dominant 77 is a medical condition that may be associated with ...
intellectual developmental disorder, autosomal recessive 84
intellectual developmental disorder, autosomal recessive 84 is a medical condition that may be associated with...
intellectual disability, autosomal dominant 43
Any autosomal dominant non-syndromic intellectual disability in which the cause of the disease is a mutation i...
intellectual disability, autosomal dominant 52
intellectual disability, autosomal dominant 52 is a medical condition that may be associated with various symp...
intellectual disability, autosomal dominant 54
intellectual disability, autosomal dominant 54 is a medical condition that may be associated with various symp...
microcephaly, progressive, with simplified gyral pattern and cerebellar hypoplasia
microcephaly, progressive, with simplified gyral pattern and cerebellar hypoplasia is a medical condition that...
micrognathia-recurrent infections-behavioral abnormalities-mild intellectual disability syndrome
micrognathia-recurrent infections-behavioral abnormalities-mild intellectual disability syndrome is a medical ...
neurocardiorenal malformation syndrome
neurocardiorenal malformation syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and...
neurodevelopmental disorder with behavioral, ear, and skeletal abnormalities
neurodevelopmental disorder with behavioral, ear, and skeletal abnormalities is a medical condition that may b...
Tests providers may use to investigate chronic constipation
When investigating chronic constipation, a healthcare provider may order one or more of the following laboratory tests. Test selection is a clinical decision made by a qualified professional.
CBC with Differential
Measures red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets to help evaluate overall health and detect disorder...
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
Measures 14 substances in the blood to assess kidney and liver function, electrolyte balance, and blood sugar ...
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
Screens for thyroid disorders such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism....
Urinalysis
Examines urine content to help detect urinary tract infections, kidney disease, and diabetes....
Symptoms commonly seen alongside chronic constipation
Bloating
A feeling of fullness, pressure, or swelling in the abdomen, often related to gas, digestion, or fluid retenti...
Dysphagia
Difficulty in swallowing....
Fatigue
A subjective feeling of tiredness characterized by a lack of energy and motivation....
Fever
Body temperature elevated above the normal range....
Seizure
A seizure is an intermittent abnormality of nervous system physiology characterized by a transient occurrence ...
Straining with Bowel Movements
The need to strain excessively to pass stool, which can be a sign of constipation....
When to seek care
Seek care from a qualified healthcare provider if chronic constipation is severe, persistent, worsening, or accompanied by concerning symptoms. If you think you have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the symptom chronic constipation mean?
Chronic constipation is a health sign or symptom described in medical literature. Constipation for longer than three months with fewer than 3 bowel movements per week, straining, lumpy or hard stools, and a sensation of anorectal obstruction or incomplete defecation.
Which conditions are associated with chronic constipation?
Chronic constipation has been reported in association with 46 conditions in the medical literature we index, including Alacrimia-choreoathetosis-liver dysfunction syndrome, CTCF-related neurodevelopmental disorder, Classical Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Coffin-Siris syndrome 12, Coffin-Siris syndrome 6. These associations do not mean you have any of these conditions.
Should I see a doctor about chronic constipation?
You should discuss any persistent or concerning symptoms with a qualified healthcare provider. This website does not provide diagnosis. If you have severe symptoms or signs of a medical emergency, seek care immediately.