Constipation causes and risk factors

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The main causes of secondary constipation, in other words, constipation caused by a disease or taking certain drugs, are those related to: 

Diseases associated with chronic constipation 
Digestive problems    Neoplasms, intestinal stenosis, ischemic colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, post-surgical bridles, idiopathic rectal ulcer, rectal prolapse, anal stenosis, weakness of the pelvic floor.  
Endocrine and metabolic diseases  Diabetes, hypothyroidism, chronic kidney disease, hypercalcemia, hyper or hypomagnesemia, hyperparathyroidism, hypokalemia, dehydration, Addison's disease, pheochromocytoma, porphyria.  
Neurological disorders  Cerebrovascular disease, neoplasm, autonomic neuropathy, spinal cord injury, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, myotonic dystrophy, systemic lupus erythematosus, amyloidosis.  
Drugs associated with constipation 
Digestive system  Proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole), antispasmodics/anticholinergics (e.g. scopolamine) or musculotropic drugs (mebeverine, papaverine), antiemetics, supplements (calcium, bismuth or iron salts), anti-diarrhoea agents (Fortasec®). 
Nervous system  Antiepileptics, antiparkinsonian drugs, anxiolytics and hypnotics, antidepressants, antipsychotics and neuroleptics. 
Cardiovascular system  Antihypertensives, diuretics (furosemide), hypolipemics (statins), antiarrhythmics.  
Others  Analgesics (anti-inflammatories, opiates), H1 antihistamines, antitussives (codeine), metal ions (aluminium, bismuth, calcium, iron), cytostatics.  

Substantiated information by:

Faust Feu Caballé
Francesc Balaguer Prunes
Sabela Carballal Ramil

Published: 21 July 2020
Updated: 21 July 2020

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