Understanding Slow transit constipation: Causes, Symptoms, and Management

Sign In

All Posts Conditions Community About

Explore Over 11,000+ Conditions, Medications, and Symptoms.

Get a personalized feed by signing up for free.

All Conditions

Slow transit constipation

by Alike Medical Team ∙ Updated on June 13, 2023

General

Constipation is the condition of having a hard bowel movement or bowel movement at a low frequency. Constipation is considered one of the most common digestive problems, affecting more than 2.5 million people in the US. Slow transit constipation refers abnormalities of the enteric nerves, leading to reduced motility of the large bowel. Typically, food travels through the intestine by muscular contraction of its walls called peristalsis. In slow transit constipation, there is reduced motility of the bowel walls.

41 people with Slow transit constipation

Learn from others who are experiencing Slow transit constipation.

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms of constipation may include: -Constipation - Uncontrollable soiling - Hard, dry stools. - Discomfort or strain during a bowel movement. - Abdominal pain, nausea

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is made by questioning and investigating the medical history and physical examination to provide additional information and exclude other diseases. Further tests include: - Barium enema - Xray. - Colonic nuclear transit study - Full thickness laparoscopic biopsy.

Treatment

There is no cure for slow transit constipation but treatment may include laxatives, enemas and interferential electrical stimulation therapy.

Note

☝ We provide information on prescription and over-the-counter medicines, diagnosis, procedures and lab tests. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

National Institutes of Health ∙ World Health Organization ∙ MedlinePluse ∙ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

☝ All information has been reviewed by certified physicians from Alike

Latest Discussions

coffeecupcai

Advice on PIP Tribunal: Feeling Frustrated and Daunted

coffeecupcai

Looking for Others with Chronic Illnesses

Lexiealea

What is this Nerve Pain Around My Lower Stomach?

Alike Wisdom

Instantly get answers to medical questions with our AI, built from the collective wisdom of our community facing similar experiences