Etiological factors of constipation in the elderly, with emphasis on functional causes.

Constipation is a particularly troublesome complaint in the elderly yet it is usually considered to be a simple management issue. Therefore physicians' lack of interest in and inadequate training about the etiology of constipation may contribute to their inability to manage the problem of constipation effectively. Constipation can become a chronic problem, refractory to management, and most likely the result of lifelong patterns of bowel and dietary habits and laxative use, along with the interaction of pathophysiological and perhaps senescent changes of gut motility. This article reviews the types and causes of constipation and the management of the problem in the elderly.