Common conditions made complex: let’s talk about constipation

People with a learning disability are more likely to suffer from constipation than people without learning disabilities. They are also more likely to have unusual presentations or cannot communicate symptoms very well, which can lead to misdiagnosis and avoidable emergency admissions to hospitals. Prevalence rates range from 33-50% in studies and this figure increases to nearly 60% in people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PMLD). The Learning Disabilities Mortality Review (LeDeR) also found that 23% of deaths identified constipation as a long-term health problem. This is why it is important that carers and anyone supporting a person with a