Constipation, Age 12 and Older-Check Your Symptoms

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Constipation,Age 12 and Older - Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Step One

Step Two

Step Three

If you have any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.

Abdominal pain: Go to the topic Abdominal Pain, Age 12 and Older.
Vomiting: Go to the topic Nausea and Vomiting, Age 4 and Older.
Fever: Go to the topic Fever, Age 4 and Older.


	Yes

Are your stools black or bloody?


	Yes

Have you had leakage of stool from your rectum (fecal incontinence)?


	Yes

Do you think your constipation may be caused by physical or sexual abuse?


	Yes

Do you have rectal pain?


	Yes

Do you think that your constipation may be caused by a medicine?


	Yes

Do you have new constipation?


	Yes

Do you have chronic constipation?


	Yes

Are you unable to have bowel movements without using laxatives?


	Yes

Have you had 1 or more normal-size to large stools that are mostly black or bloody?


	Yes

Have you had 1 or more normal-size to large stools that are partly black or bloody?


	Yes

Have you had 1 or more small stools that are mostly black or bloody?


	Yes

Have you had streaks of blood in your stools? Note: Streaks of blood in your stools occasionally is not unusual, but talk to your doctor about what to expect.

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Have you suddenly lost the ability to control your bowels?


	Yes

Do you have new fecal incontinence that does not appear to be caused by difficulty cleaning the rectal area?


	Yes

Have you had fecal incontinence for longer than 2 weeks despite home treatment?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Do you think your constipation may be caused by physical or sexual abuse?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Do you have severe rectal pain that lasts for at least 30 minutes after passing stool?


	Yes

Do you have moderate rectal pain that lasts for at least 30 minutes after passing stool?


	Yes

Is rectal pain preventing you from having a bowel movement?


	Yes

Are you unable to tolerate the discomfort caused by constipation?


	Yes

Have you had more than one bowel movement that caused mild to moderate rectal pain that lasted longer than 30 minutes in the past 24 hours?


	Yes

Do you have mild to moderate rectal pain despite 1 week of home treatment?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Do you think that your constipation may be caused by a medicine?Note: If you answered Yes:Call the doctor who prescribed the medicine to see whether you should stop taking the medicine or take a different one. An appointment may not be needed.If you are taking a nonprescription medicine, stop taking it. Call your doctor if you feel you need to still take the medicine.

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Are you unable to tolerate the discomfort caused by constipation?


	Yes

Do you have constipation with other symptoms, such as fever, shaking chills, or vomiting?


	Yes

Do you have new constipation without other symptoms that has not improved after 1 week of home treatment?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Is constipation causing new problems after 1 week of home treatment?


	Yes

Is constipation getting worse after 1 week of home treatment?


	Yes

Do you have new bowel habit changes that have not improved after 2 weeks of home treatment?


	Yes

Do you have chronic constipation that you have not discussed with your doctor?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Have you been unable to stop using laxatives after 2 weeks?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Other Symptoms to Watch For

If you have any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: October 06, 2010

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.