title: Constipation.
abstract: Most patients with chronic constipation respond to dietary measures, fiber supplements, or laxatives. For those who do not, diagnostic tests of colonic and anorectal function help to select appropriate treatments. Therapeutic options, pharmacologic agents, and surgery, the last resort, are discussed in this article.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wald
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001004:Anus Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D002400:Cathartics / Q000145:classification / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D003248:Constipation / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D003657:Decision Making; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D002400:Cathartics; D004043:Dietary Fiber