Editorial

Abstract

Constipation – Management and Treatment

Constipation can be an uncomfortable and frustrating condition that affects people of all ages. It occurs when bowel movements become infrequent or difficult to pass, often resulting in discomfort and bloating. While occasional constipation is common and usually not a cause for concern.

Chronic constipation is a common condition seen in family practice among the elderly and women. There is no consensus regarding its exact definition, and it may be interpreted differently by physicians and patients.
Physicians prescribe various treatments, and patients often adopt different over-the-counter remedies. Chronic constipation is either caused by slow colonic transit or pelvic floor dysfunction, and treatment differs accordingly.

In general, the prevalence of constipation among the general population, women are 2 to 3 times more likely to have constipation than men in terms of prevalence. 1-5 and physical symptoms.6 Possible reasons include higher risk of injury to the pelvic floor from childbirth7 and the general willingness of women to report their symptoms and respond to surveys. Advanced age is also a risk factor for chronic constipation, with the largest increase in prevalence after the age of 70 years.

In general, constipation has a significant impact on quality-of-life indicators irrespective of culture and nationalities,8 especially on the elderly. A recent
systematic review showed that impairment caused by constipation as measured by Health-Related Quality of Life scores predominates in the mental health domains and is comparable to that caused by serious
chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis and diabetes.