Alarm Signs and Symptoms of Constipation

GASTROENTEROLOGY

Ask the patient questions to r/o the following alarm features. Note that most of them are to r/o 1) Small/Large Bowel obstruction or 2) Cancer/Tumor

  1. Fever,
  2. Unintentional weight loss, ≥10 pounds
  3. Hematochezia (Blood in or on stool)
  4. Positive Fecal Occult Blood Test
  5. Masses (abdominal or rectal) that are felt.
  6. Night symptoms or any other unexplained symptoms
  7. Acute onset of constipation
  8. Vomiting
  9. Not passing gas
  10. Severe abdominal pain
  11. Severe persistent constipation that is unresponsive to treatment
  12. A family history of colon cancer or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
  13. Age older than 50 y with recent onset of symptoms
  14. Abnormal laboratory bloodwork results (eg, anemia or iron deficiency)
  15. A change in stool caliber

Signs and Symptoms of Intestinal Obstruction (Obstructive symptoms)

  • Crampy abdominal pain that comes and goes
  • Loss of appetite
  • Constipation
  • Vomiting
  • Inability to pass gas or have a bowel movement
  • Swelling of the abdomen

 

Further Reading

Can Fam Physician. 2015 Feb; 61(2): 152–158.

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