ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the medical condition of constipation. Constipation is the term used to describe difficult or painful defaecation which is less frequent than what is normal for the individual patient, and which is associated with harder and smaller stools. It distresses the patient and should be treated promptly or avoided by the appropriate prescription of laxatives, especially when opioids are prescribed. The best remedy for constipation is anticipation and appropriate laxative prescribing, especially when prescribing opioids or other drugs that are known to increase the likelihood of constipation and reduced gut motility. The faecal softeners drugs are usually given in combination with a stimulant laxative to overcome the effect of opioids on gut motility. Constipation makes the patient miserable, and everything should be done to improve their comfort while medications and other interventions are taking effect. Anticholinergic drugs cause constipation by a direct action on the gut wall, slowing down peristalsis.
