An Approach to the Management of Constipation
Prevalence of constipation is reported to be 20%. In the U.S.A, $800 million are spent yearly on laxatives. Constipation in the U.S.A account for 20,000 hospitaliza- tions and 2.5 million out-patient consultations per year.
Definitions: Stool frequency 2 or less per week, straining, hard stools and a feel- ing of incomplete evacuation are all features used by the Rome consensus criteria to define constipation.