Constipation prognosis

Chronic primary constipation usually has a benign course. However, as well as affecting the quality of life of those who have it, at times it can cause other complications. Amongst them may be the origin of distension symptoms and abdominal pain and may even include an intestinal occlusion due to impaction of faeces in the intestine, although this situation is extremely rare. Furthermore, constipation increases the likelihood of haemorrhoids and associated symptoms (bleeding, pain), anal fissure (a painful wound in the anus), enterocele or rectocele (vaginal descent or collapse, or herniation of the bowel or rectum into the vagina).  

It should be taken into account that factors such as age, activity levels, emotional changes and drugs can aggravate the problem. It is also important to know which alarm signs require consultation with a doctor (sudden change in intestinal rhythm, weight loss, blood in the faeces) to exclude the possibility that the constipation is secondary, or has worsened due to another process.