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What is Constipation?
In many cases, simple changes to your lifestyle and diet can help relieve the symptoms of constipation. Several alternative approaches may also provide relief, although they have not been studied extensively.
Read more on www.mayoclinic.com
Also known as Colonic Inertia, Dyschezia, lack of regular bowel movements, irregularity of bowels
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Constipation information from trusted sources:
Constipation - WrongDiagnosis.com
List of 726 disease causes of Constipation, patient stories, diagnostic guides, medical books excerpts online about Constipation, 1744 drug side effect ... Read more on
www.wrongdiagnosis.com
Constipation
Sep 3, 2008 ... Becoming constipated means that you have a change in your bowel habits with fewer BM's each week and/or pain when you have a BM. ... Read more on
www.youngwomenshealth.org
Constipation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Constipation (also known as costiveness, dyschezia, and dyssynergic defaecation) refers to bowel movements that are infrequent and/or hard to pass. ... Read more on
en.wikipedia.org
CONSTIPATION AND DEFECATION PROBLEMS - Patients - American College ...
Constipation is one of the most frequent gastrointestinal complaints in the USA and Western countries. There are at least 2.5 million doctor visits for ... Read more on
www.acg.gi.org
Constipation in Children
A look at this common problem in children, the causes, symptoms, treatment and when a doctor should be consulted. Read more on
digestive.niddk.nih.gov
Constipation
Constipation means that a person has three or fewer bowel movements in a week. The stool can be hard and dry. Sometimes it is painful to pass. At one time or another, almost everyone gets constipated. In most cases, it lasts a short time and is not serious. There are many things you can do to prevent constipation. They include Eating more fruits, vegetables and grains, which are high in fiber Drinking plenty of water and other liquids Getting enough exercise Taking time to have a bowel movement when you need to Using laxatives only if your doctor says you should Asking your doctor if medicines you take may cause constipation Read more on
www.nlm.nih.gov
Understanding Constipation • AGA
Constipation is the infrequent and difficult passage of stool. ... Fissures may be quite painful and can aggravate the constipation that originally caused ... Read more on
www.gastro.org
Constipation
Constipation is a very common problem among kids, and it usually occurs because a child's diet doesn't include enough fluids and fiber. Read more on
kidshealth.org
Constipation and Children - Diagnosis and Treatment
Oct 21, 2007 ... Constipation is very common in children and it is usually caused by not drinking enough fluids, not eating enough fiber, or having a diet ... Read more on
pediatrics.about.com
Constipation
Constipation is a common gastrointestinal problem. People who experience constipation have infrequent bowel movements, pass hard stools or strain during bowel movements. Read more on
www.mayoclinic.com
Contents
Causes
Normally, the waste products of digestion (stool) are propelled through your intestines by muscle contractions. In the large intestine (colon), most of the water and salt in this waste mixture are reabsorbed because they're essential for many of your body's functions.
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www.mayoclinic.com
Complications
Although constipation can be extremely bothersome, it usually isn't serious. If it persists, and especially if straining results, you may develop certain complications: Hemorrhoids or cracks (fissures) in your anus may result when hard stool stretches the sphincter muscle. Fecal impaction occurs when you accumulate a mass of hardened stool that can't be eliminated by a normal bowel movement. You may need to have impacted stool removed manually. Rectal prolapse occurs when a small amount of rectal tissue pushes out through the anus. This condition may lead to a secretion of mucus from the anus. Lazy bowel syndrome may occur if you use laxatives frequently, causing your bowels to become dependent...
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www.mayoclinic.com
Considerations
Normal patterns of bowel elimination vary widely from person to person and you may not have a bowel movement every day. While some healthy people have consistently soft or near-runny stools, others have consistently firm stools, but no difficulty passing them.
Read more on
www.nlm.nih.gov
Diagnosis
Constipation is a very common condition. Your GP will rarely need to carry out any tests or procedures to confirm your diagnosis. Instead, they will usually diagnose your condition based on your medical history and your symptoms.
Read more on
www.nhs.uk
Home Care
Children and adults should get enough fiber in their diet. Vegetables, fresh fruits, dried fruits, and whole wheat, bran, or oatmeal cereals are excellent sources of fiber. To reap the benefits of fiber, drink plenty of fluids to help pass the stool.
Read more on
www.nlm.nih.gov
Medical advice
Call your doctor if you have:Sudden constipation with abdominal cramps and an inability to pass gas or stool (DO NOT take any laxatives -- call immediately!); Sharp or severe abdominal pain, especially if you're also bloated; Blood in your stool ; Constipation alternating with diarrhea; Thin, pencil-like stools; Rectal pain; Unexplained weight loss ; Been using laxatives for several weeks or self care is not working; An infant younger than 2 months is constipated; An infant (except those exclusively breastfed) goes 3 days without a stool -- call immediately if the child is vomiting or irritable; A child is holding back bowel movements in order to resist toilet training
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www.nlm.nih.gov
Preparing for your appointment
You'll likely first seek medical care for constipation from your family doctor or general practitioner. You may be referred to a specialist in digestive disorders (gastroenterologist) if your doctor suspects a more advanced case of constipation.
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www.mayoclinic.com
Prevention
Although constipation is a common condition, there are several steps you can take to prevent it.
Read more on
www.nhs.uk
Risk factors
You're more likely to have constipation if you are: An older adult; Sedentary; Confined to bed; Eating a diet that's low in fiber; Not getting adequate fluids; Taking certain medications, including sedatives, narcotics or certain medications to lower blood pressure; Undergoing chemotherapy
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www.mayoclinic.com
Symptoms
Not having a bowel movement every day doesn't necessarily mean you're constipated. You likely have constipation, however, if you experience two of the following signs or symptoms: Pass fewer than three stools a week; Experience hard stools; Strain excessively during bowel movements; Experience a sense of rectal blockage; Have a feeling of incomplete evacuation after having a bowel movement; Need to use manual maneuvers to have a bowel movement, such as finger evacuation or manipulation of your lower abdomen
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www.mayoclinic.com
Treatment
The first way that your GP will treat your constipation is by advising you about ways you can change your diet and lifestyle. Changing what you eat and drink may mean that your constipation passes without the use of medication.
Read more on
www.nhs.uk
What to Expect at Your Office Visit
Normal patterns of bowel elimination vary widely from person to person and you may not have a bowel movement every day. While some healthy people have consistently soft or near-runny stools, others have consistently firm stools, but no difficulty passing them.
Read more on
www.nlm.nih.gov