I. Definition, classification and morbidity of constipation Constipation (constipation) is manifested as a reduction in the number of bowel movements, hard stools and/or difficulty in defecation. Decrease in the number of bowel movements refers to less than 3 bowel movements per week. Difficulty in defecation includes straining to pass stool, difficulty in passing stool, feeling of incomplete defecation, time consuming defecation, and needing manual assistance to pass stool. The duration of chronic constipation is at least 6 months. The prevalence of chronic constipation is on the rise with changing diets, faster pace of life and psychosocial factors. The prevalence varies between studies and is influenced by the inconsistency of sampling methods and diagnostic criteria applied, in addition to geographical factors. Epidemiological studies of community populations show that the prevalence of chronic constipation in adults in China is 4%-6%, and increases with age, and the prevalence of chronic constipation in people over 60 years of age can be as high as 22%. The prevalence of women is higher than men, the ratio of male to female prevalence is 1:1.22 ~ 1:4.56. There are few reports on the incidence of chronic constipation in China. Second, what are the hazards of constipation? Constipation and anorectal diseases (such as hemorrhoids, anal fissures and rectal prolapse, etc.) are closely related. Long-term constipation can lead to or aggravate anorectal diseases. Chronic constipation may play an important role in the development of diseases such as colorectal cancer, hepatic encephalopathy, breast disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. In diseases such as acute myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular accident, excessive straining to defecate can even lead to death. Constipation affects the quality of survival of patients, and some patients abuse laxatives or repeatedly seek medical treatment, which increases medical costs. Third, can constipation use market laxatives? The occurrence of constipation is recommended for individualized and comprehensive treatment, and laxative abuse should be avoided. There are many laxative supplements on the market, most of which contain laxative ingredients such as rhubarb, aloe vera and senna. It can work immediately after use. Long-term use will produce dependence, and even cause colon black lesions. Chinese medicine believes that laxatives are mostly bitter and cold, easy to hurt the spleen and stomach, for the actual heat constipation before use, and in the disease that stop. Fourth, how to prevent constipation? 1, to avoid eating too little or food too fine, lack of residue, the stimulation of colon movement is reduced. 2, to avoid disturbance of defecation habits: due to mental factors, changes in lifestyle patterns, long trips overworked, etc. Failure to defecate in a timely manner can easily cause constipation. 3, avoid the abuse of laxatives: the abuse of laxatives will make the intestinal sensitivity is weakened, the formation of dependence on certain laxatives, resulting in constipation. 4, reasonable arrangement of life and work, to achieve a combination of work and rest. Appropriate physical and cultural activities, especially the exercise of the abdominal muscle is conducive to the improvement of gastrointestinal function, more important for sedentary and less active and highly concentrated brain workers. 5, to develop good bowel habits, regular daily defecation, focus on defecation, reduce the interference of external factors, to establish a good defecation pattern, so as not to inhibit the desire to defecate, destroy the defecation habit. 6. Patients are advised to drink more boiled water, perform moderate exercise and develop the habit of regular bowel movements. The action potential activity of the colon is enhanced after sleep and meal, which pushes the stool to the distal end of the colon, so it is the easiest time to defecate in the morning and after meal. 7.Psychological care: instruct patients to adjust the anxiety and depression caused by the disease through cognition, breathing, music, self-referral and other methods, give psychological guidance, eliminate doubts, maintain optimism and actively cooperate with treatment. 8.Food therapy and physical therapy guidance: according to Chinese medicine physical identification and the patient’s daily diet and nutritional status, give corresponding guidance. V. Treatment principles of constipation? The purpose of treatment is to relieve symptoms and restore normal intestinal dynamics and physiological functions of defecation. Therefore, the general principle is individualized comprehensive treatment, including recommending reasonable dietary structure, establishing correct defecation habits, and adjusting the patient’s mental and psychological state; carrying out etiological treatment for those with clear etiology; avoiding laxative abuse for those who need long-term laxative maintenance treatment; strictly grasping the indications for surgical operation and making objective prediction of surgical efficacy. Six, special groups of people suffering from constipation how to do? 1, the elderly: lack of exercise, taking a variety of drugs for chronic diseases is an important cause of constipation in the elderly, should try to stop using the drugs that cause constipation, pay attention to change the lifestyle. 2, pregnant women: increase dietary fiber, drink more water and appropriate exercise are the main treatment measures for these patients. Lactulose, polyethylene glycol and prucalopride succinate must be used under the guidance of a medical professional. Insoluble quinone laxatives and castor oil should be avoided. 3, children: basic treatment includes family education, reasonable diet and bowel habit training, for fecal impaction, propecia preparations (generic name of open cork) or warm sodium chloride solution enema can be used. Volumetric laxatives, lactulose, polyethylene glycol have been proven to be effective and well tolerated. Seven, the characteristics of Chinese medicine in the treatment of constipation 1, herbal tonics Chinese medicine from the pre-Qin dynasty to the present for more than 2,000 years, successive generations of constipation of the name, cause, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, prevention and health care are richly documented. Chinese medicine believes that the basic pathogenesis of constipation is the large intestine conduction disorder, the pathogenesis is mainly for heat knot intestinal tract, damp-heat blockage, qi stagnation, yin-cold stagnation, Jin deficiency intestinal dryness, deficiency of qi, blood, yin and yang resulting in intestinal conduction disorder. The pathology can be divided into four aspects: cold, heat, deficiency and reality. The etiology of constipation in Chinese medicine is mainly attributed to the dysfunction of Qi and blood of the internal organs. The formula needs to be focused according to the different functional states of the internal organs and qi and blood, reflecting the ideas of “combination of movement and static”, “attack and supplement”, “balance of yin and yang”, ” The idea of “balance of qi and blood”, etc. 2. Acupuncture treatment (1) Main acupoints: Group 1: Tianshu, Qihai, Shangjiuxu, Shuansanli, Baihui; Group 2: ZhongS, XiaS, Large Intestine Yu, Kidney Yu, Spleen Yu. (2) Identify and match points: Quchi, Shuzhe, Nei Ting for heat accumulation in the intestines and stomach; Zhigou, Hegu, Taichong, Liver Yu and Sanyinjiao for liver and spleen disorders; Shen Que, Qi Hai and Baihui for lung and spleen spleen deficiency; Gong Sun, Stomach Yu and Lie Gu; Sanyinjiao, Zhao Hai and Tai Xi for liver and kidney yin deficiency; Guan Yuan, Life Gate and Waist Yang Guan for spleen and kidney yang deficiency; Tai Xi, Zhao Hai and Dazhong may be added. 3.Chinese herbal enema Mainly use the decoction of Chinese herbs for promoting qi and strengthening the spleen, such as: Houpu, Lycopodium, Allium, Cinnamon (later down), Poria, etc., 250ml-500ml of water solution, using the side-lying position or chest and knee position, rectal drip, retain the enema, and adjust according to the patient’s symptoms after treatment. Applicable to abdominal distension with hard stool embedded in the intestinal tract, several days does not. 4.Auricular acupoint pressure bean The main acupoints are large intestine and spleen, supplemented by abdomen, Sanjiao, stomach, liver and lung, etc. Patients are instructed to press the ear acupoints for 1min～2min each time, 5 times～6 times a day.