Table 1.

Differentiation between normal stool evacuation and constipation

Variable	Normal	Constipation likely
Frequency of stools	≥3 evacuations per week and ≤3 evacuations per day	≤3 evacuations per week
Weight of stools	35–150 g/day	<35 g/day
Weight of water in stools	ca 70%	<70%
Time taken by gastrointestinal passage	2–5 days	>5 days