Biofeedback and functional constipation

Medscape has a summary of presentations from this year’s Digestive Disease Week (DDW) meeting, which is the world’s largest gathering of physicians and researchers who specialize in diseases of the intestines and liver.

One presentation looked at the role of biofeedback in patients with functional constipation. Among 60 patients studied, the group treated with biofeedback had a significant reduction in straining, feelings of incomplete evacuation, bloating, and laxative use.

Functional constipation, also known as chronic idiopathic constipation, is a rare condition that occurs most often in women and may be related to problems in hormone function or with nerves and muscles in the colon, rectum, or anus.

7/20/06 10:29 JR