Constipation means different things to different people. For some people, constipation simply means irregularity of bowel movements. For others, constipation can alternate with diarrhea. This type of constipation is commonly associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). IBS is also known as spastic colon and can produce lifelong symptoms though it is not a life-threatening condition.

Fecal impaction, on the other hand, is a condition in which stools hardens in the rectum and prevents the passage of any stool.

Constipation does not only occur in adults, there is also children’s constipation and even constipation infants.

There are many causes of constipation. Constipation may come about because of a low fiber diet, medications, age, travel, pregnancy, low intake of liquid, and diseases. Diseases, indeed, can cause also constipation. But what are the diseases that are commonly associated with constipation?

1. Anal Fissure. Anal fissure is a cut or tear occurring in the anus that extends upwards into the anal canal. These fissures cause pain during bowel movement and is oftentimes accompanied with rectal bleeding.

Anal fissures are caused by trauma to the anus and anus canal. The cause of the trauma is usually bowel movement. The fissure may be caused by hard stool or repeated episodes of diarrhea.

2. Colon Cancer. Cancer of the colon and rectum is the third leading cause of cancer in males and the fourth leading cause of cancer in females. Though not contagious, a person’s risk of obtaining colon cancer includes a diet high in fat. The breakdown products of fat metabolism lead to the formation of cancer causing chemicals. As the cancer progresses the victims ability to pass stool decreases.

3. Depression. Depression is divided into two types, endogenous and neurotic. Endogenous means that depression comes from within the body. Reactive or neurotic depression has a clear environmental precipitating factor such as death.

4. Multiple Sclerosis. The cause of multiple sclerosis is still unknown but a patient is usually diagnosed with the disease between 20 and 50 years of age, though children and the elderly may be diagnosed with it also.

Multiple Sclerosis is a disease in which the nerves of the central nervous system degenerate. This severe disorder produces sudden constipation with failure to expel stool or flatus.

5. Ulcerative Colitis and Ulcerative Proctitis. Constipation may be experienced by patients with chronic ulcerative colitis. Bloody diarrhea with pus, mucus, or both is also the hallmark of this disorder. Ulcerative Proctitis, on the other hand, produces acute constipation with tenesmus.

6. Hirschsprung's disease. The most common medical disorder acquainted with constipation in infants is hirschsprung's disease. This disease is a disease of the large intestine and is usually associated with infants. Some children suffering from this disease can't have bowel movements at all. The stool creates a blockage in the intestine.

There are still a number of diseases associated with constipation. Such diseases are Anorectal abscess, Cirrhosis, Diabetic neuropathy, Hemorrhoids, Hepatic porphyria, Hypothyroidism, Spinal cord lesion, and Mesenteric Artery Ischemia. These diseases, in some way or another, list constipation as one the symptoms.

For fast constipation relief, it is recommended that you seek medical advice especially for toddlers and infants.