title: [Chronic constipation in adults].
abstract: Chronic constipation is a very common condition, which is responsible for a major socioeconomic burden. Primary management must rule out secondary constipation before recognizing chronic idiopathic constipation, which is the most common diagnosis. Initial treatment frequently associates simple lifestyle modifications, whose efficacy is limited, with osmotic laxatives or bulking agents. If those measures do not relieve symptoms, a switch of laxatives or a combination must be proposed. Pharmacological treatments of constipation represent a new alternative approach in case of failure of previously mentioned measures. In case of chronic constipation reluctant to all conservative therapies, specific tests are required before considering biofeedback intervention or exceptionally a surgical option.
authors: Hôpital Saint-Antoine, service de gastroentérologie et nutrition, 75012 Paris, France; Centre hospitalier Diaconesses-Croix Saint-Simon, service de proctologie médico-interventionnelle, 75012 Paris, France. Electronic address: jdzeitoun@yahoo.fr.
authors: Jean-David
authors: JD
authors: Zeitoun
authors: Vincent
authors: V
authors: de Parades
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003248:Constipation / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D054368:Laxatives / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D054368:Laxatives