Constipation

Constipation is a common gastrointestinal disorder characterized by infrequent bowel movements, difficulty passing stool, hard or dry stool, excessive straining, or a sensation of incomplete evacuation. While bowel patterns vary among individuals, constipation generally refers to a significant change from a person's usual elimination pattern. A bowel movement does not need to occur every day to be normal. The patient’s baseline, stool form, effort required, and sense of complete evacuation are more informative than frequency alone. Chronic constipation is diagnosed when at least two of the following occur for at least three of the last six months: - Eight or fewer spontaneous bowel movements per week - Hard or lumpy stool, usually Bristol type 1 or 2, during more than 25% of defecations - Straining during more than 25% of defecations - A sensation of incomplete evacuation during more than 25% of defecations - A sensation of anorectal blockage during more than 25% of defecations - Manual manoeuvres needed to facilitate evacuation during more than 25% of defecations These criteria describe a chronic pattern; they do not make a new...