Clinical Nutrition

Lesson 16: Constipation

Atonic constipation

Muscle tone of the intestinal wall is reduced so that peristaltic movements are impaired. As a result, food mass cannot move at a normal rate down the tract. Bacteria acts on the stagnated food, causing some of the symptoms of constipation. Moreover the longer the food stays in the intestines, the more the water absorbed. This make the stools dry and hard.

Atonic constipation occurs due to

• A diet poor in fibre
• Insufficient intake of fluids
  
• Lack of physical exercise
• Illness
• Pregnancy etc