Constipation is not easily defined because there is wide inter-individual variation in normal bowel habit (the normal frequency of bowel motions may vary from three times per day to twice per week), but the term implies a diminished frequency of bowel motions and/or the passage of small hard stools.
Causes of constipation are many, and in an individual, may be multifactorial. Causes of constipation include: inadequate fibre intake, dehydration, immobility reduced muscle tone in small/large bowel, pregnancy, carcinoma, dementia, depression, hypercalcaemia and drugs.
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A joint initiative of the Patient Services Section and the Drug and Therapeutics Information Service of the Pharmacy Department, Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park, South Australia. The RGH Pharmacy E-Bulletin is distributed in electronic format on a weekly basis, and aims to present concise, factual information on issues of current interest in therapeutics, drug safety and cost-effective use of medications.
Editor: Assoc. Prof. Chris Alderman, University of South Australia – Director of Pharmacy, RGH © Pharmacy Department, Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park, South Australia 5041.
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