Risk factors:
(1) extreme of age (very young or very old)
(2) female gender
(3) poor diet, low in fiber
(4) dehydration
(5) chronic pain
(6) inactivity or poor mobility, including paraplegia or quadraplegia
(7) pregnancy
(8) drugs (see below), especially in high doses and/or when multiple agents are taken
(9) stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease or degenerative neurologic disease
(10) depression
(11) diabetes mellitus
(12) irritable bowel syndrome (may alternate with diarrhea)
(13) ischemic bowel disease
(14) inflammatory bowel disease
(15) other bowel disorders
(16) hypothyroidism
Drugs associated with constipation:
(1) anticonvulsants
(2) antidepressants
(3) antihistamines
(4) antispasmodics or antidiarrheal agents
(5) iron or calcium supplements
(6) aluminum-containing antacids
(7) NSAIDS
(8) opioid analgesics
(9) ganglionic blocking agents
(10) 5-HT3 receptor antagonists
(11) beta-blockers
(12) clonidine
(13) disopyramide
(14) diuretics
