Description
Constipation is described as “the subjective complaint of passage of abnormally delayed or infrequent passage of dry, hardened faeces often accompanied by straining and/or pain” (1). Two types of constipation have been described: acute, or self-limiting constipation (constipation that lasts no more than two weeks, without the presence of a fecal mass) and chronic constipation (constipation that lasts longer than eight weeks). Chronic constipation can be organic or functional.