Constipation is a digestive problem that involves passing stools fewer than three times a week and having dry, hard stools. The most common causes of constipation are poor diet and drinking too little fluid. Your lifestyle, medications and stress...
Most people experience constipation or diarrhea from time to time. Although it can be uncomfortable, the majority of instances result from benign sources rather than significant disease. Constipation is defined as having a bowel movement fewer...
Childhood constipation is a common problem of the gastrointestinal system, explains the Mayo Clinic. Treating the issue depends on the underlying cause. Medical treatment is necessary if a child has gone more than two weeks without a bowel...
After digestion and absorption are complete, waste products make their way through the large intestine to be excreted from the body. Fluid continues to be absorbed from this waste matter through the length of the organ. When too much fluid is...
Constipation, also known as digestive irregularity, and diarrhea (loose, frequent stools) can occur for a number of reasons. Emotional stress or overeating may cause temporary symptoms, which may resolve without need for medical treatment. In some...
Infant bowel movements vary in color, texture and frequency, causing confusion on what is normal. True constipation is hard in texture and often small in size. A constipated baby strains to pass the stools and may have small amounts of blood along...
Most kids experience constipation at one time or another. Constipation is having difficulty producing a bowel movement, and it's also used to describe a child who does not have a bowel movement more than three times a week. Except for rare...
According to Dr. John Anne in an article for "American Chronicle," constipation means having fewer than three bowel movements per week--unless that is your normal routine. Dr. Anne advises avoiding laxatives, which can condition your system to...
Chocolate does not cause constipation in most healthy adults, but it can be a factor if you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS. IBS is a condition affecting about 20 percent of the adult U.S. population, according to the National...
Doctors and health professionals often recommend exercise as a cure for constipation. However, your digestive system is very complex and it's hard to change one part of the system without affecting something else. Although there is no scientific...
Vitamin supplements are a popular addition to the arsenal that many people take in an attempt to attain or maintain good health. Unfortunately, just like prescription drugs, vitamin supplements do carry side effects. Constipation can occur as a...
Constipation can cause pain and discomfort. Stools may be hard and dry, with painful, infrequent bowel movements. Other symptoms can be embarrassing and uncomfortable, including bloating, gas and cramping. If you consume a high-carbohydrate diet,...
Iron is a mineral that the body needs to produce red blood cells in the bone marrow, states MayoClinic.com. When the body does not get enough iron through diet, or iron is lost through blood loss, you may become anemic. Therefore, replacing an...
Constipation is one of several digestive problems your child may develop in the first couple years of life. Infant stool should be moist and soft. Constipated babies may still produce bowel movements, but the consistency of these is likely dry,...
According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, the most common gastrointestinal complaint in America is constipation. Approximately 4 million Americans suffer with constipation. Suffers are typically women over 65 or...
If your baby is constipated, don't be alarmed. The solution to the problem may be as simple as changing your infant's diet. Certain types of baby food may cause constipation, even though they're nutritious and tasty for your little one....
Constipation may occur for a variety of reasons, including illness or a change in diet. While certain foods and vitamin supplements may increase the risk of constipation, other substances, such as acidophilus, may help treat this condition....
Constipation is a fairly common occurrence among children that can be caused by variety of conditions including eating some types of foods. The condition is characterized by a decrease in bowel movements, hard dry stools and painful bowel...
Calcium, the most abundant mineral in the body, is essential for healthy bones and teeth, to help the contraction of blood vessels and muscles and to secrete hormones and enzymes. Food sources of calcium include, yogurt, cheese, milk and green...
Fiber bars contain ingredients such as dried fruit, bran, granola, rolled wheat, seeds and psyllium fiber. These ingredients provide several health benefits, including improving satiety, keeping blood glucose stable and improving bowel movements....
Many people believe they are constipated if they skip a day. However, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, constipation is defined by less than three bowel movements a week and is often accompanied by small, dry...
Constipation is a relatively common condition marked by an abnormally low number of bowel movements. While many people think they need to have a bowel movement every day, constipation is defined as having fewer than three bowel movements in a...
Taking too much calcium can give you constipation. Common causes of constipation due to excessive calcium intake include eating too many dairy products, taking a calcium supplement that does not agree with you or using antacids. Although having...
Iron medication may be prescribed for certain health conditions and, especially, iron deficiency anemia. Iron medications include ferrous sulfate, ferrous fumarate, ferrous gluconate and others. Taking iron supplements may cause constipation and...
Constipation is an uncomfortable gastrointestinal condition that you may experience either occasionally or chronically. While you may have heard that it's caused by lack of digestive enzymes, there's actually no evidence to support this. Instead,...
Constipation can have many different causes, but the result is always the same -- unpleasant abdominal discomfort. You may prefer to deal with this condition in private before visiting a doctor or asking others for medical advice. If you have been...
Your coffee may greet you in the morning and get you through the day. However, depending on how much coffee you drink and how sensitive you are to caffeine, you may experience side effects that are not so pleasant. Constipation should not be one...
Your body changes significantly during pregnancy, particularly in the early months. As a result, you may experience a number of uncomfortable physical symptoms. Furthermore, prenatal vitamins can exacerbate some of these symptoms, particularly...
Iron is an essential mineral necessary for the production of various enzymes and proteins, such as hemoglobin -- the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. The National Institutes of Health Food and Nutrition Board...
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a very common disorder. Generally characterized by abdominal cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation. Learn about the different causes of, symptoms of, and treatments for irritable bowel in this...