| [ Summary ] |
lrregular bowel habits are roughly classified into the categories of constipation and diarrhea. Although constipation and diarrhea are considered to be opposites, they are two sides of the same coin, and often alternate. Diarrhea may refer to frequent and watery stools. Constipation may refer to infrequent bowel movements, which may cause discomfort with the passage of stools. However, constipation is a relative term and difficult to define. Although the method of classification has not yet been established, it is considered that common forms of constipation are grouped into acute and chronic constipation. A careful differential diagnosis is required to determine whether constipation is a manifestation of underlying disorders such as cancer of the colon. In this report, the author describes the quality of life in people with functional constipation. Treatment guidelines must be established without delay that can help treat and prevent constipation, particularly in elderly people who are confined to bed, because the proportion of those people has increased rapidly in recent years. To reestabiish regular bowel habits, the following guidelines should help : (1) Know how the colon works. (2) Assess usual eating habits. (3) Do not rely unnecessarily on laxatives. The another emphasizes that laxatives should be the last resort, since the colon begins to rely on them to bring on bowel movements, and finally, fails to work properly. |