[Chronic constipation]

Complaints of chronic constipation may substantially impair the quality of life of a patient. The disease feeling is shaped not only by objective parameters but also by subjective perceptions. This is along-considered into the so-called Rome-III-criteria. In the majority of the patients no distinct pathology can be found. A smaller group of patients however exhibit isolated or in combination a slow colonic transit or a pelvic floor dysfunction. Secondary extraintestinal causes are to be looked for particularly during a first clinical evaluation. Apart from general clinical investigations if necessary combined with a colonscopy, specific function tests (transit measurements, defecography) may be applied. Different laxative agents are the primary cornerstone of treatment. In selected cases biofeedback training or even surgical intervention can be successfully adopted.