Expert Video - Is opioid-induced constipation (OIC) difficult to diagnose?

Gastroenterologist Dr. Satish Rao describes the process of diagnosing opioid-induced constipation. A thorough diagnosis includes comparing the dates when constipation started and when the patient began taking opioids, and more. Dr. Rao explains additional tests to find the cause of constipation, what an abdominal X-ray can tell your doctor, and how opioid medications may be just one factor in bowel problems.

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Section: Diagnosing OIC

Animation - Diagnosing OIC

Slide Show - Diagnosing OIC

Other OIC Animations

Animation - Understanding OIC

Animation - Managing and Treating OIC

Expert Videos

1. How is opioid-induced constipation diagnosed?

2. Is opioid-induced constipation difficult to diagnose?

3. What questions should I ask my doctor about diagnosing OIC?

Other Sections in this Module:

Understanding Opioid-Induced Constipation (OIC)

Managing and Treating Opioid-Induced Constipation

Advances in Opioid-Induced Constipation

Other Modules:

Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation (IBS-C)

Chronic Constipation (CC)

Dyssynergic Defecation (DD)

Patient Stories

This educational activity has been developed by the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders and Mechanisms in Medicine Inc.

This activity is supported by independent educational grants from AbbVie, Ironwood Pharmaceuticals and Takeda.

This website is part of the Animated Patient^® series developed by Mechanisms in Medicine Inc., to provide highly visual formats of learning for patients to improve their understanding, make informed decisions, and partner with their healthcare professionals for optimal outcomes.