CONSTIPATION

Symptoms | When to call | Homecare Advice

Symptom Definition

You have difficulty passing bowel movements: straining, hard stools, or rectal pressure.
You feel like bowel movements do not occur frequently enough.

General Information

Normal bowel movement (BM) frequency varies from 3 times a day to 3 times a week.
Passage of a large bowel movement is not constipation, since the size of the bowel movement relates to the amount of food an individual eats and the bowel movement frequency. Large eaters have larger stools.
The passage of small, dry, rabbit-pellet-like stools is not constipation and instead reflects the desiccation (drying-out) mechanism and insufficient fluid intake.

Lifestyle Causes

Diet and fiber: Inadequate dietary fiber reduces intestinal motility and makes BMs hard and more difficult to pass. Fiber works by helping stools to retain water. Good sources of dietary fiber are fresh fruits and vegetables, beans, and bran. Fiber can also be taken via supplements (e.g. Metamucil).
Liquids: Insufficient liquid intake cause stools to be dry and harder to pass. Adults should drink 6-8 glasses of water daily.
Lack of exercise: Inactivity reduces bowel function, whereas exercise helps stimulate the bowels and improve regularity. Individuals who are bedridden have increased problems with constipation, and may develop a blockage of stool in their rectum (i.e. fecal impaction).
Postponing BM's: Some individuals ignore their body's signals to have a BM. This can lead to chronic problems with constipation.
Recent travel: Travel can cause constipation because it interferes with your diet and normal daily cycle.

See More Appropriate Topic (instead of this one) If

Any ABDOMINAL PAIN
Any VOMITING

Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.

Reviewed 8/2004

Revised 8/2004

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