Sign in

or Register now

MyIBDCentral.com

See all of our health sites at www.HealthCentral.com
Thursday, October, 29, 2009

Definition Of Constipation

Health Encyclopedia: Constipation

Definition

Constipation refers to infrequent or hard stools, or difficulty passing stools. Constipation may involve pain during the passage of a bowel movement, inability to pass a bowel movement after straining or pushing for more than 10 minutes, or no bowel movements after more than 3 days. Infants who are still exclusively breastfed may go 7 days without a stool.


Alternative Names

Irregularity of bowels; Lack of regular bowel movements


Considerations

Constipa...

Read more »

Expert & Community Posts

26240_1849
Dealing with Constipation During Cancer
By Amy Thomas , Health Expert

Constipation is the most common gastrointestinal complaint in the United States, affecting more... Read more »

50082_7784
Abdominal Bloating After Ulcerative Colitis Remission
By Todd Eisner , Health Expert

...awhile, it should be done. Hypothyroidism can cause constipation and weight gain and must be... Read more »

73302
Everybody Poops
By Merely Me , Health Expert

...for days!"  Yes indeed I am about to talk about constipation.  While a person having MS can... Read more »

70966
Acid Reflux Triggers: How to avoid those things that bring on the burn.
By Jennifer Rackley , Health Expert

...Food Allergies Illnesses that cause sinus drainage Constipation   Constipation is an... Read more »

23153
Backed-Up and Barfing
By Christina Lasich, MD , Health Expert

...medications used to treat chronic pain includes: constipation and vomiting. Some people can have... Read more »

Health Guide

Diet: constipation
Foods we eat as part of our everyday diet may cause, worsen, or relieve constipation. Function Normal stool patterns vary and are different for everyone. Some may have a... Read more »
Irritable bowel syndrome (functional bowel)
...risk factors Irritable bowel syndrome involves a combination of abdominal pain and alternating constipation and diarrhea. There are many possible causes. For instance, there may be a problem... Read more »
Anal fissure
...much less common among school-aged children than among infants. In adults, fissures may be caused by constipation, the passing of large, hard stools, or by prolonged diarrhea. In older adults,... Read more »
Encopresis
...child over 4 years of age. Otherwise known as overflow incontinence, encopresis results from chronic constipation. See also bowel incontinence. Alternative Names Soiling;... Read more »

Images

Medications

Puf05130_69554_5

...(MOR-feen SUL-fate) Side Effects Nausea, vomiting, constipation, lightheadedness, dizziness,... Read more »

Nov04190_67652_5

...Pronounced: (dar-e-fen-A-sin) Side Effects Dry mouth, constipation, nausea, stomach upset,... Read more »

Gsk01500_67642_5

...Pronounced: (soul-lee-fen-A-sin) Side Effects Dry mouth, constipation, stomach upset, stomach... Read more »

Rug19900_76867_5

... Side Effects This medication can cause nausea, constipation, diarrhea, or headache. If these... Read more »

Qlt14910_57126_5

...eyes, nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea, headache, unusual... Read more »

Related News

Constipation may lead to incontinence, other problems
August 19, 2009

A review of studies has found that having a problem with constipation may lead to other health problems such as fecal incontinence, hemorrhoids, anal... Read summary »

When is constipation something to worry about?
October 02, 2008

A reader asks Dr. Beata Skudlarska when constipation is something to worry about. According the the doctor, constipation is a common problem in the... Read summary »

Q&A: Gingersnaps may treat constipation
October 02, 2008

For patients who suffer from chronic constipation, home remedies can be helpful and effective treatments. Dr. Peter Gott offers a few constipation... Read summary »

Drugmaker seeks approval of Amitiza for IBS
October 03, 2008

Drugmaker Sucampo is seeking Food and Drug Administration approval to provide a 8 mcg version of Amitiza for patients with constipation-predominant... Read summary »

Nutritional supplement may cause constipation
October 02, 2008

According to Joe and Teresa Graedon of The People's Pharmacy, many medications may cause constipation. These includes many common nutritional... Read summary »