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K59.0 Constipation – Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
K59.0 is the ICD-10 code for constipation, a common digestive disorder characterized by infrequent, difficult, or incomplete bowel movements.
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K59.0 is the ICD-10 code for constipation, a common digestive disorder characterized by infrequent, difficult, or incomplete bowel movements.
What Does the ICD-10 Code K59.0 Mean?
The ICD-10 code K59.0 refers to constipation, one of the most common functional gastrointestinal disorders. It describes a condition in which bowel movements occur less frequently than normal, are difficult to pass, or result in a feeling of incomplete evacuation. Clinically, constipation is generally defined as fewer than three bowel movements per week.
Causes
Constipation can have many underlying causes. A distinction is made between primary (functional) and secondary constipation:
- Primary constipation: Low-fiber diet, inadequate fluid intake, physical inactivity, stress, or altered bowel motility
- Secondary constipation: Bowel disorders (e.g., irritable bowel syndrome, diverticular disease), neurological conditions (e.g., Parkinson disease, multiple sclerosis), endocrine disorders (e.g., hypothyroidism, diabetes), medications (e.g., opioids, iron supplements, antacids), pregnancy, or pelvic floor dysfunction
Symptoms
Common symptoms associated with constipation (K59.0) include:
- Infrequent bowel movements (fewer than 3 times per week)
- Hard, dry, or lumpy stools
- Straining during defecation
- Sensation of incomplete evacuation
- Abdominal discomfort or cramping
- Bloating and a feeling of fullness
- In severe cases: headaches, loss of appetite, and general malaise
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of constipation is primarily clinical. The physician takes a detailed medical history and performs a physical examination. Depending on the suspected cause, the following investigations may be required:
- Blood tests: To rule out thyroid disorders, diabetes, or electrolyte imbalances
- Colonoscopy: If an organic cause is suspected or in older patients
- Imaging studies: Such as abdominal ultrasound
- Defecography or anorectal manometry: If pelvic floor dysfunction is suspected
Treatment
Treatment depends on the underlying cause and the severity of constipation. The following options are available:
General Measures
- Increasing dietary fiber intake (e.g., whole grains, vegetables, legumes)
- Adequate fluid intake (at least 1.5–2 liters per day)
- Regular physical activity
- Establishing a consistent toilet routine
Pharmacological Treatment
- Laxatives: Including osmotic laxatives (macrogol, lactulose), stimulant laxatives (bisacodyl, sodium picosulfate), or bulk-forming agents (psyllium husk)
- Prokinetic agents: Medications that promote intestinal motility
- For opioid-induced constipation: Specific opioid antagonists such as naloxegol or methylnaltrexone
Treatment of the Underlying Condition
In cases of secondary constipation, treatment of the underlying disease is the primary therapeutic goal.
References
- World Health Organization (WHO): ICD-10 Classification of Mental and Behavioural Disorders – K59.0 Constipation. www.who.int
- American College of Gastroenterology (ACG): Clinical Guideline: Management of Benign Anorectal Disorders, 2021. www.gi.org
- Bharucha A.E. et al.: American Gastroenterological Association technical review on constipation. Gastroenterology, 2013;144(1):218–238.
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