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Evaluation of Constipation and Treatment of Abdominal Constipation

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Abstract

Constipation is a prevalent condition that can have significant effects on quality of life. Initial treatment should include behavioral modification and fiber supplementation or laxatives. In patients that require further intervention, testing modalities are available to aid in differentiating between constipation subtypes. For patients with slow transit constipation, confirmed by transit studies, prescription medications are available which may improve symptoms. Those who do not respond favorably may be candidates for surgical intervention, which is most commonly a total abdominal colectomy. Most importantly, management strategies for constipation must be tailored to the individual patient.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA

    Muneera R. Kapadia MD, MME

  2. Department of Surgery, University of California San Fancisco Medical Center, 550 16th Street, 6th Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA

    Madhulika K. Varma MD

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  1. Muneera R. Kapadia MD, MME
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  2. Madhulika K. Varma MD
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Correspondence to Madhulika K. Varma MD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Colorectal Surgery, University Hospitals Case Medical Center Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Scott R. Steele

  2. Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Tracy L. Hull

  3. Tufts University School of Medicine, Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, Burlington, MA, USA

    Thomas E. Read

  4. Ambrose and Gladys Bowyer, Loyola University, Chicago, IL, USA

    Theodore J. Saclarides

  5. University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA

    Anthony J. Senagore

  6. Ochsner Medical Center, New Orleans, LA, USA

    Charles B. Whitlow

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Kapadia, M.R., Varma, M.K. (2016). Evaluation of Constipation and Treatment of Abdominal Constipation. In: Steele, S.R., Hull, T.L., Read, T.E., Saclarides, T.J., Senagore, A.J., Whitlow, C.B. (eds) The ASCRS Textbook of Colon and Rectal Surgery. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-25970-3_58

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-25970-3_58

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