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Constipation

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Constipation is the passage (difficulty passing stools - straining) of small amounts of hard, dry bowel movements, usually defined as "fewer" than three times a week.

Almost everyone gets constipated from time to time. In most cases, it lasts for only a short time and is not serious.

Some people believe they are constipated, or irregular, if they do not have a bowel movement every day. There is no right number of daily or weekly bowel movements. Normal may be three times a day or three times a week depending on the person. Some people naturally have firmer stools than others. Normal bowel habits vary from one person to the next. However, whenever a significant or prolonged change in bowel habits occurs, check with your doctor.

How the Large Intestine (colon) Works

As food moves through the colon (large intestine), the colon absorbs water from the food while forming waste products, or stool. Muscle contractions in the colon push the stool toward the rectum. By the time the stool reaches the rectum, it is solid because most of the water has been absorbed.

Constipation occurs when the colon absorbs too much water or if the colon's muscle contractions are slow or sluggish, causing the stool to move through the colon too slowly. When stool stays in the large intestine too long, the intestine removes too much water, and the stool becomes hard and dry.

Sometimes constipation can lead to complications. These complications include * hemorrhoids - caused by straining to have a bowel movement - or anal fissures - tears in the skin around the anus - caused when hard stool stretches the sphincter muscle. (Anal sphincter is the muscle that closes off the anus)

Constipation may also cause hard stool to pack the intestine and rectum so tightly that the normal pushing action of the colon is not enough to expel the stool. This condition, called fecal impaction, occurs most often in children and older adults. An impaction can be softened with mineral oil taken by mouth and by an enema. After softening the impaction, the doctor may break up and remove part of the hardened stool by inserting one or two fingers into the anus.

Laxatives can be dangerous to children and should be given only with a doctor's approval.

Definitions For This Page - In Alphabetical Order

* Hemorrhoids
Pronounced - HEM-royd
Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels in and around the anus and lower rectum. Continual straining to have a bowel movement causes them to stretch and swell. They cause itching, pain, and sometimes bleeding. Constipation and Hemorrhoids

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References:
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC)
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
July 2007
digestive.niddk.nih.gov

The information discussed above is a general overview and does not include all the facts, or include everything there is to know about any medicine and/or products mentioned. Do not use any medicine and/or products without first talking to your doctor. Possible side effects of medications, other than those listed, may occur. Other brand names or generic forms of this medicine may also be available. If you have questions or concerns, or want more information, your doctor or pharmacist has the complete prescribing information about this medicine and possible drug interactions.