Constipation

April 15, 2025

Research

Mayo Clinic researchers investigate new treatment options for chronic constipation.

Mayo Clinic scientists in the Cellular and Molecular Physiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Lab are studying how the body regulates the movement of food through the entire digestive system. They focus on gaining new knowledge about the biological processes that control digestion and the removal of waste from the body. The goal is to translate this new knowledge into better treatments.

The Enteric Neuroscience Program studies the nervous system's complex role in the work of the intestines. The work focuses on understanding causes of disorders and improving treatments. Also, the program's mission is to educate professionals who work as both doctors and researchers in this field.

Publications

See a list of publications on chronic constipation by Mayo Clinic doctors on PubMed, a service of the National Library of Medicine.

Constipation and defecation problems. American College of Gastroenterology. https://gi.org/topics/constipation-and-defection-problems/. Accessed May 30, 2023.
Constipation. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/constipation/all-content. Accessed May 30, 2023.
Constipation. American Gastroenterological Association. https://patient.gastro.org/constipation/. Accessed May 30, 2023.
AskMayoExpert. Constipation (adult). Mayo Clinic; 2023.
Wald A. Etiology and evaluation of chronic constipation in adults. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed May 30, 2023.
2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov. Accessed June 7, 2023.
Wald A. Management of chronic constipation in adults. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed May 30, 2023.
Friedman S, et al., eds. Chronic constipation & fecal incontinence. In: Greenberger's Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Gastroenterology, Hepatology, & Endoscopy. 4th ed. McGraw Hill; 2022. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Accessed May 30, 2023.
Ma W, et al. The gut microbiome and colonic motility disorders: A practical framework for the gastroenterologist. Current Gastroenterology Reports. 2022; doi:10.1007/s11894-022-00847-4.