title: Constipation in the elderly.
abstract: Management is not as straightforward as it appears. Patients often have associated conditions that predispose to or result from constipation. An OTC laxative habit may confound the workup and frustrate treatment. Overall evaluation is required, lest constipation progress to a medical crisis that requires hospital admission.
authors.affiliation: Harvard Medical School, Brockton/West Roxbury, Mass., USA.
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Minaker
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Harari
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002400:Cathartics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003248:Constipation / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D004733:Enema; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D002400:Cathartics; D004043:Dietary Fiber