Psychosomatic aspects of defecation and its disturbances.
Constipation and diarrhea are usually defined in terms of frequency of defecation and consistency of stool. However, the subjective component in these symptoms is so great that the objective criteria cannot be satisfactory. An important additional aspect is provided by the analysis of sensations and postures in the three phases of the act of defecation (announcing, emptying, subsequent phase). Taking account of the subjective aspects may contribute to a better differentiation and classification not only of constipation and diarrhea but also of such disturbances as organic rectal disease and irritable colon.
D003248:Constipation / Q000503:physiopathology; D003672:Defecation; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000503:physiopathology; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility; D006801:Humans; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders