Chapter 16 Constipation
INTRODUCTION
Description: Constipation is the infrequent passage of hard stools, often associated with mechanical or other means to stimulate bowel movements. It often also is related to changes in the size, consistency, and ease of bowel movement in the subjective definition of constipation.
ETIOLOGY AND PATHOGENESIS
Causes: Inadequate dietary fiber and fluid intake, altered gastrointestinal motility (drugs, illness, injury, laxative abuse), metabolic (hypothyroidism, diabetes), mechanical (obstruction, impaction).
