Functional constipation (FC) is a prevalent digestive disorder that significantly affects the physical and mental health of individuals. While short-term efficacy of pharmacological treatments for FC is satisfactory, long-term outcomes are often suboptimal, with notable adverse reactions, high relapse rates upon discontinuation, and potential development of drug dependence. The underlying mechanisms of FC remain unclear, and modern medicine has proposed various theories regarding its pathogenesis. Current understanding suggests that FC is primarily associated with colonic motility disorders, weakened pelvic floor muscle function, abnormal mucosal immune regulation, dysbiosis of the gut microbiota, and dysregulation of the brain-gut axis. Unraveling the mechanisms contributing to FC has significant implications for developing more effective therapeutic medications, alleviating the economic and psychological burdens on patients, and enhancing their overall quality of life.

Dan Xu, Hua Jiang, Mengfei Kuang, Ya Liu. Research Progress on the Mechanisms of Functional Constipation. Academic Journal of Medicine & Health Sciences (2023) Vol. 4, Issue 11: 26-32. https://doi.org/10.25236/AJMHS.2023.041104.

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