Constipation in older adults: An ancient malady, remains a management enigma

Constipation Is a frequent and annoying problem in older adults, a malady that affects the quality of life. Further, the condition is a basis for increase in physician visits, and coupled with laxative use results in enormous dollar expenditure every year. Chronic constipation is hard to treat to satisfaction, requiring extensive evaluation in some cases. Rarely constipation may result in complications such as large gut obstruction, pseudodiarrhea or hematochezia requiring hospitalization. This review provides the pathophysiology, manifestations, evaluation and management of constipation in the geriatric population and is an extension of many other excellent reviews on the topic (1-7).