Treatment of Constipation

Park, Moo In

Abstract

Constipation is a common gastrointestinal disease affecting approximately 16.5% of the population in Korea. Systemic diseases such as hypothyroidism or colon cancer and drugs can cause constipation in some patients with constipation, there is no obstructive mucosal or structural cause in the vast majority of patients with constipation. Evaluation for secondary causes of constipation is needed to provide appropriate management. Once secondary causes have been excluded, constipation may be classified into normal or slow transit constipation, evacuation disorder of the spastic or flaccid varieties, or both. Treatment of chronic constipation based on the underlying pathophysiology is generally successful. The aims of this review are to discuss the management of functional constipation based on guidelines for the treatment of constipation published in Korean Journal of Gastroenterology in 2011: lifestyle changes; bulking agents and stool softeners; osmotic agents; stimulant laxatives; prokinetics; biofeedback and surgical treatments. Exercise and dietary fiber are helpful in some patients with constipation. Laxatives including bulking agents, stool softeners, osmotic agents, stimulant laxatives have been found to be more effective than placebo at relieving symptoms of constipation. New enterokinetic agents such as 5-hydroxytryptamine-4 receptor agonists, intestinal secretagogues, and peripheral opioid antagonists could be effective in patients with constipation who cannot get adequate relief from current laxatives. Biofeedback could relieve symptoms in selected patients with constipation due to pelvic floor dyssynergia. Surgical treatments can be helpful in some patients with refractory constipation.