How can Constipation be investigated?

When you are seen in clinic the consultant will take a full history and carry out a clinical examination. Usually this will involve a rigid sigmoidoscopy and sometimes a proctoscopy as well.
Your consultant usually will recommend endoscopic examination of the bowel either by flexible sigmoidoscopy  or colonoscopy to ensure that it is otherwise healthy.

When symptoms have been persistent, further investigations are required. Blood tests are usually carried out to look at blood chemistry and thyroid function.
Colonic transit studies are useful to look at the propulsion of the bowel and a video proctogram to see how well the bowel empties. Anorectal physiological testing with an endoanal ultrasound scan (to look at the sphincter muscle) are usually also performed.
 

What are the next steps?
If you think you have this condition or any of these symptoms
you will need to seek medical advice.
For more information or to make an appointment.
Contact birmingham bowel clinic on 0845 241 7762
or email enquiries@birminghambowelclinic.co.uk
If you have private medical care or wish
to pay to see a consultant.
Take this factsheet along to your own
GP and request a referral to one
of our consultants
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