Constipation, treatment and biofeedback therapy

Constipation is commonly encountered by the community nurse, particularly in older people. A comprehensive assessment is required prior to treatment, to exclude potential pathologies such as a bowel cancer. There are many potential causes of constipation, such as poor diet or use of opioid analgesia. This can guide the nurse to a potential treatment, for example to include more fibre in the diet or to possibly change the analgesia used. However if these and/or other therapies fail, biofeedback therapy offers a non-surgical option. Biofeedback therapy includes patient education, retraining of the bowels and muscles, behavioural therapies and psychological support.