Constipation etiology

FGIDs present with variable combinations of chronic or recurring GI symptoms not explained by overt biochemical or structural abnormalities and encompass conditions like functional dyspepsia (FD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and chronic idiopathic constipation [1], A variety of mechanisms that could explain the etiology of FGIDs are currently under investigation and include, but are not limited to altered GI motility, visceral hypersensitivity and post-infectious abnormalities [2],... 

Catatonic schizophrenia is a controversial syndrome, and there is debate about its etiology and treatment. There has been a report of two cases of catatonic schizophrenia successfully treated with clozapine a 49-year-old woman and a 19-year-old man (18). Both responded to clozapine despite being resistant to several conventional and atypical antipsychotic drugs and, in the second case, a course of electroconvulsive therapy. These two cases are intriguing, because the dose of clozapine required to improve catatonia was about double the dose required to improve psychosis significantly (600 mg/day and 750 mg/day). The two patients had common adverse effects of clozapine the first had mild nocturnal hypersalivation and mild/moderate constipation, and the second had moderate nocturnal hypersalivation. 

Diarrhea and constipation are associated with many illnesses and always produce concern to the effectiveness of therapeutic agents. Like gastroesophageal reflux, the etiology of these conditions is diverse and hence the effect on transit will vary. For example, in a group of constipated patients, a scintigraphic study using a water-soluble marker demonstrated a rapid... 

With infants and children, constipation may occur commonly. In patients with persistent problems, the underlying etiology may be neurologic, metabolic, or secondary to anatomic abnormalities. Management of constipation in this age group should consist of dietary modification with an emphasis on high-fiber foods. 

Acute abdominal pain is a common complaint in the pediatric age group. A total of 10% of school-age children have recurrent abdominal pain and in only 10% of these children can etiology be detected. The majority of these children have self-limited disease. The most common associated conditions include upper respiratory tract infection, pharyngitis, viral syndrome, gastroenteritis, and constipation (Henderson et al. 1992). Therefore, it is uncommon for the underlying condition in these children to require surgical intervention. 

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