[Constipation in the aged--diagnosis and therapeutic aspects]

The normal stool weight is 121 +/- 25 g per day with a stool frequency of 1.1 +/- 0.9 defecation per day. A normal transit time in man of 66 +/- 23 hours has been found. These data are necessary for the diagnosis of constipation. A recommendation of a fibre-rich diet or a purified plant fibre for therapy has been made. The dosage of bassorin or bran is 0.5 g per kg/day. In older people a drug therapy can often be necessary.