Clinical Nutrition

Lesson 16: Constipation

Classification

Constipation refers to difficult or painful defecation with less than 3 motions per week.

The frequency of bowel movements varies among individuals and is related to their personal habits. Both daily elimination or evacuation once in two or three days may be normal. Constipation may lead to malaise, headache, coated tongue, foul breath and lack of appetite.

• Spastic constipation
• Atonic constipation