[Treatment of chronic constipation with swelling substances]

In 20 patients with chronic constipation and, in many cases, years of laxative abuse, in a prospective and randomized study, treatment with new, specially prepared swelling substances administered at the recommended doses, was carried out after first stopping the use of laxatives. After only one week of this treatment, a marked increase in the weight of the stools, and a reduction in stool transit time (p less than 0.05 in each case) were observed.