Constipation is defined as the infrequent, difficult passage of stool.

However, it may mean different things to different people, including stools that are infrequent, difficult to expel, hard stool, small stool or the sense of incomplete evacuation.

Constipation is believed to affect between 10% to 20% of the North American population at any one time. Twenty-five per cent to 50% of the population over the age of 60 years are affected. The frequency of constipation increases with age. It affects males and females equally.

Between 250 to 350 million dollars are spent on laxatives in North America per year. The widespread use of laxatives indicates how common constipation actually is.

There is a wide variation in the frequency of normal bowel movements. The frequency of bowel movements varies according to individual body make up, type of intestine, eating habits, physical activity level and cultural influences. Almost always constipation is due to a delay in the transit time within the large intestine or colon.

Normal bowel movements may mean three movements per day for one person and three movements per week for another person. Therefore, an individual with less than three movements per week may be constipated. On the other hand, a change in frequency of movements from three per day to three per week may indicate constipation.

A wide variety of factors, including dietary, structural, endocrine, metabolic, neurological, connective tissues disorders and various drugs may affect stool........

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