constipated - Hutchinson encyclopedia article about constipated Printer Friendly
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constipation
(redirected from constipated)

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Medical, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.02 sec.

constipation

In medicine, the infrequent emptying of the bowel. The intestinal contents are propelled by peristaltic contractions of the intestine in the digestive process. The faecal residue collects in the rectum, distending it and promoting defecation. Constipation may be due to illness, alterations in food consumption, stress, or as an adverse effect of certain drugs. An increased intake of dietary fibre (see fibre, dietary) can alleviate constipation. Laxatives may be used to relieve temporary constipation but they should not be used routinely.



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? Mentioned in ? References in periodicals archive
 
Seriously ill patients tend to be chronically constipated, which results in generalized toxemia," Smith says.
During this type of constipation, stools move through the colon at a normal rate, and stool frequency is normal, yet patients believe that they are constipated because of a perceived difficulty with evacuation or the presence of hard stools.
Eventually, the tumor obstructed her colon, leaving her completely constipated.
 
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