Patients with diabetes have a significant risk of developing severe constipation often due to dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. Constipation is a symptom, rather than a disease, and is characterized by decreased defecation frequency, increased stool hardness, and/or difficulty passing fecal matter. Self-treatment of constipation with over-the-counter laxative products, home remedies, and foodstuffs is commonplace. Patients frequently call upon health professionals for advice regarding constipation. The diabetes educator should be familiar with the causes and rational treatment of this disorder in the person with diabetes.
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