Constipation

Constipation pervades our society. It is associated with emotional stress, lack of dietary fiber, and ignorance. Laxative stimulants, bulk forming agents, stool softeners, and osmotic cathartics may all be needed to treat endstage constipation initially, but "weaning" should be possible in most cases. Endstage constipation, in rare cases, can be life threatening due to urinary tract or colonic obstruction or perforation.