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Chronic Constipation: a Review of Current Literature

  • Large Intestine (B Cash, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Chronic constipation is a common health condition representing a substantial proportion of primary care visits and referrals to specialist providers. Chronic constipation can have a significant negative effect on health-related quality of life and has been associated with psychological distress in severely affected patients. It has the potential to cause patients to curtail work, school, and social activities. While different pathophysiological mechanisms have been implicated in the development of chronic constipation, in some instances, the causes of chronic constipation are not easily determined. Expenditures for the evaluation and management of chronic constipation represent a significant burden on patients and payers, and it is important for clinicians to have a clear understanding of the different pathophysiological mechanisms associated with constipation, understand the different testing modalities and treatments that are available including their appropriateness and limitations, and tailor that knowledge to the management of individual patients.

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Hani Sbahi declares no conflict of interest.

Brooks D. Cash reports personal fees from Takeda, Actavis, Astra Zeneca, Ironwood, and Sucampo, outside the submitted work.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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  1. Division of Gastroenterology, University of South Alabama, 75 University Boulevard S, Suite 6000-B, Mobile, Al, 36688, USA

    Hani Sbahi & Brooks D. Cash

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  1. Hani Sbahi
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Correspondence to Hani Sbahi.

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Sbahi, H., Cash, B.D. Chronic Constipation: a Review of Current Literature. Curr Gastroenterol Rep 17, 47 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-015-0471-z

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