Constipation - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
Oct 20, 2023 · Constipation is a problem with passing stool. Constipation generally means passing fewer than three stools a week or having a difficult time passing stool. Constipation is fairly common. A lack of dietary fiber, fluids and exercise can cause constipation. But other medical conditions or certain medicines may be the cause.
Constipation - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic
Oct 20, 2023 · Treatment for constipation usually begins with diet and lifestyle changes meant to increase the speed at which stool moves through the colon. Also, your health care professional may change the medicines you take if they may be causing or worsening constipation.
Nonprescription laxatives for constipation: Use with caution
Jan 26, 2024 · Laxatives can help relieve and prevent constipation. But not all laxatives are safe for long-term use. Overuse of certain laxatives may lead to dependency and decreased bowel function. By Mayo Clinic Staff. If you've ever been constipated, you may have tried nonprescription laxatives.
Diagnosis and management of patients with chronic constipation
Approximately 1 in 6 people experience chronic constipation (CC), a condition that can significantly affect quality of life and is a frequent cause for referrals to gastroenterologists and colorectal surgeons within the United States.
Constipation in children - Symptoms & causes - Mayo Clinic
Sep 18, 2021 · Signs and symptoms of constipation in children may include: Less than three bowel movements a week. Bowel movements that are hard, dry and difficult to pass. Pain while having a bowel movement. Stomach pain. Traces of liquid or pasty stool in your child's underwear — a sign that stool is backed up in the rectum.
Constipation in adults - Mayo Clinic
When to seek medical advice. Consult your doctor if your constipation: Is more severe than usual. Lasts longer than usual. Alternates with diarrhea. Is accompanied by abdominal or rectal pain, rectal bleeding, blood in your stool, black stools, or unexplained weight loss. Choose a symptom.
Infant constipation: How is it treated? - Mayo Clinic
Oct 5, 2024 · When to get help for infant constipation. After a few days, if your baby is still having trouble passing stool, contact your baby's healthcare professional. Treatment for infant constipation includes medicine called a suppository, which is placed in the anus.
Irritable bowel syndrome - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
Oct 11, 2024 · Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that affects the stomach and intestines, also called the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms include cramping, belly pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea or constipation, or both. IBS is an …
Mayo Clinic Q and A: Dealing with chronic constipation
Aug 2, 2019 · Constipation typically is defined as having fewer than three bowel movements a week or other symptoms (e.g., hard stools, excessive straining, or a sense of incomplete evacuation after defecation). Chronic constipation refers to these symptoms when they last for several weeks or longer.
Constipation - Care at Mayo Clinic
Oct 20, 2023 · Specialists at Mayo Clinic can use a wide variety of tests to identify the cause of constipation. These include test to assess movement of stool through your colon, muscle contractions in your colon, and the function of your rectal and pelvic floor muscles. A full range of treatment options.