Constipation

Summary

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

It’s not important that you have a bowel movement every day. If your bowel habits change, however, check with your doctor.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Find an Expert

• American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons
• Find a Gastroenterologist American College of Gastroenterology
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Encyclopedia

• Bowel retraining Medical Encyclopedia
• Constipation – what to ask your doctor Medical Encyclopedia
• Total abdominal colectomy Medical Encyclopedia

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Constipation National Institutes of Health

Diagnosis and Tests

• Colonoscopy: MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine
• Diagnosis of Constipation National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Lower GI Series (Barium Enema) National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Lower GI X-Ray (Barium Enema) Radiological Society of North America

Teenagers

• Constipation Nemours Foundation

Children

• Constipation (For Kids) Nemours Foundation
• Definition and Facts for Constipation in Children National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Diagnosis of Constipation in Children National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Eating, Diet, and Nutrition for Constipation in Children National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Infant Constipation American Academy of Pediatrics
• Symptoms and Causes of Constipation in Children National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Treatment for Constipation in Children National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Patient Handouts

• Constipation – self-care Medical Encyclopedia
• Constipation in infants and children Medical Encyclopedia
• Fecal impaction Medical Encyclopedia
• Lower GI Series National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Tenesmus Medical Encyclopedia

Start Here

• Constipation and Defecation Problems American College of Gastroenterology
• Definition and Facts for Constipation National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Treatments and Therapies

• Eating, Diet, and Nutrition for Constipation National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Flaxseed and Flaxseed Oil National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
• Over the Counter Laxatives for Constipation: Use with Caution Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Treatment for Constipation National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Understanding Antegrade Colonic Enema (ACE) Surgery Cleveland Clinic Foundation

Older Adults

• Eldercare at Home: Constipation AGS Health in Aging Foundation

Health Check Tools

• Elimination Problems or Constipation American Academy of Family Physicians

Related Issues

• Fiber: How to Increase the Amount in Your Diet American Academy of Family Physicians
• Rectal Prolapse American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons
• Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome – Symptoms and causes Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Women

• Pregnancy Constipation: Are Stool Softeners Safe? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Journal Articles

• Constipation

Symptoms

• Symptoms and Causes of Constipation National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases