Constipation is a condition marked by infrequent bowel movements
of hard faeces that are difficult to pass. Differentiating
diarrhoea from constipation is important.
Elderly and bedridden patients are prone to chronic constipation.
When hard faeces accumulate and partially block the lower
colon, it promotes mucus production and bacterial activity,
which produces a foul-smelling brown fluid. The anal muscles
lose their tone and the brown fluid seeps past the obstruction
and leaks like diarrhoea.
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