Clinical features: Constipation is increased difficulty and reduced frequency of bowel evacuation and may be chronic or acute. Simple (chronic) constipation is usually due to lack of dietary fibre or poor bowel training. Acute, implies a definite, sudden change in bowel habit.

Treatment guidelines

• Find out the type of food taken by patient
• Exclude other organic causes of partial bowel obstruction
• Encourage high fibre diet, adequate fluid intake
• Give laxatives as required but avoid chronic use

Stimulative laxative