Zeng XL, Zhu LJ, Yang XD. Exploration of the complex origins of primary constipation. World J Clin Cases 2024; 12(24): 5476-5482 [PMID: 39188609 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v12.i24.5476]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Xiang-Dong Yang, MM, Professor, Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Chengdu Anorectal Hospital, No. 152 Daqiang East Street, Taisheng South Road, Chengdu 610015, Sichuan Province, China. y-xd@vip.163.com
Research Domain of This Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Article-Type of This Article
Minireviews
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
World J Clin Cases. Aug 26, 2024; 12(24): 5476-5482 Published online Aug 26, 2024. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v12.i24.5476
Exploration of the complex origins of primary constipation
Xing-Lin Zeng, Lian-Jun Zhu, Xiang-Dong Yang
Xing-Lin Zeng, Lian-Jun Zhu, School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, Sichuan Province, China
Xiang-Dong Yang, Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Chengdu Anorectal Hospital, Chengdu 610015, Sichuan Province, China
Author contributions: Zeng XL, and Yang XD contributed to the manuscript outline and composed the paper; Zhu LJ was responsible for sourcing and organizing relevant literature; Zeng XL and Yang XD originated the concept for this manuscript; Yang XD provided supervision, reviewed the paper, and finalized the manuscript. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: Https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Xiang-Dong Yang, MM, Professor, Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Chengdu Anorectal Hospital, No. 152 Daqiang East Street, Taisheng South Road, Chengdu 610015, Sichuan Province, China. y-xd@vip.163.com
Received: March 8, 2024 Revised: June 11, 2024 Accepted: June 26, 2024 Published online: August 26, 2024 Processing time: 125 Days and 1.3 Hours
Abstract
Constipation is a common gastrointestinal disorder characterized by infrequent bowel movements and difficulty in passing stools. It can significantly affect an individual's quality of life and overall well-being. Understanding the causes of constipation is important for its effective management and treatment. In this paper, we have reviewed the primary causes of constipation or functional constipation. Primary constipation is a bowel disorder associated with colonic or anorectal sensorimotor or neuromuscular dysfunction. As per the literature, it is multifactorial and involves factors such as decreased interstitial cells of Cajal, altered colonic motility, enteric nervous system dysfunction, intestinal flora disturbances, and psychological influences. Clinical symptoms include difficulty in defecation, decreased frequency of defecation, or a feeling of incomplete evacuation. A comprehensive evaluation and management of constipation require an interdisciplinary approach incorporating dietary modifications, lifestyle changes, pharmacotherapy, and psychological interventions. Further research is imperative to explain the intricate mechanisms underlying constipation and develop targeted therapies for improved patient outcomes.
Core Tip: The etiology of constipation is complex, involving a series of primary and secondary causes. Some of the primary factors reviewed in this paper include decreased interstitial cells of Cajal, altered colonic motility, enteric nervous system dysfunction, intestinal flora disturbances, and psychological influences. Clarifying the etiology of constipation can significantly facilitate the management of this disease through an interdisciplinary approach, incorporating dietary modifications, lifestyle changes, pharmacotherapy, and psychological interventions.
