Constipation

The diagnosis of functional constipation (FC) requires a history of straining or pain with defecation, hard or large stools that may obstruct the toilet, infrequent bowel movements (BMs), retentive behaviors, and/or encopresis. Often, the chief complaint is colicky abdominal pain, which can mimic more sinister diagnoses that are missed such as appendicitis, intussusception and bowel obstruction.