Chapter 1: Clinical Overview
Constipation is having difficulty passing a bowel motion (doing a poo) or a change in your patient’s normal frequency of passing a bowel motion, generally so that it is happening less often than normal.
Constipation is common among people of all ages.
Constipation can be annoying, uncomfortable and sometimes painful.
Constipation may be a sign of a serious underlying health problem.
If it is severe, getting worse, not improving or there is no discernable cause, despite your patient taking recommended actions, then a referral to their doctor may be necessary.
