-          irritable bowel and functional constipation are among the most common functional digestive disorders, affecting a significant percentage of the population in developed countries (reported to be as high as 30%). The clinical presentation of irritable bowel syndrome is dominated by colicky abdominal (lower abdominal) pain and/or abdominal discomfort (flatulence, flatulence), relieved by defecation and/or associated with a change in stool form or frequency

-         the pathogenesis of both diseases is not completely clear despite extensive research. Neurohumoral dysregulation of colonic function is assumed to occur in genetically predisposed individuals due to adverse external factors. The dysregulation leads to changes in motility, secretion and visceral sensitivity of the gut, resulting in the development of characteristic symptoms  

-         the disease has a chronic pattern, often significantly reducing the patient's quality of life

-         in the absence of alarming symptoms, the diagnosis can be made directly, based on the presence of characteristic symptoms and normal physical findings. Further investigations are not necessary, except to differentiate between different types of severe functional constipation

-         therapy is complex, targeted at the predominant symptom, the basis for its success is the establishment of mutual trust between doctor and patient