Abstract
Diagnosis of constipation is usually based on clinical criteria, in other words, the Rome III criteria, or from colorectal transit times determined radiographically. Depending on the definitions used, chronic constipation affects 2–28% of the general population and the prevalence increases with age. Constipation is usually classified as functional (idiopathic) or as secondary to diseases, conditions or to medications. In the elderly population, constipation is often associated with Parkinson‘s disease, stroke or rectocele and prolapse. Treatment of constipation is initiated after a thorough history and physical exam. A number of tests are available but in most patients without alarm symptoms treatment is instituted after a physical examination and relevant blood samples. Basic treatment consists of appropriate daily habits, oral laxatives or suppositories, and mini enema. In more severe cases irrigation with enemas can be used. Surgical treatment is restricted to highly selected patients.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
Klaus Krogh was supported by the Danish Research Council and is a member of the Bowel Dysfunction Advisory Board, Coloplast, Kokkedal, Denmark. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.