In 2021 constipation related visits to the ED reached over 1 million.The prevalence of constipation in elderly individuals in the community is between 15-30% and for those living in nursing homes or long-term care facilities it ranges between 50-75%. While constipation itself is not usually life-threatening, it can be indicative of life-threatening diseases or disorders and therefore a comprehensive history and physical assessment of patients is essential to avoid missing a critical diagnosis.

Sarah Lee is an emergency physician at the University of Maryland. In this episode she joins Dr. Christina Shenvi to discuss the presentation, risk factors, assessment and management of constipation in geriatric patients in the ED.