Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a functional disorder of the colon also known as the large intestine. IBS can cause diarrhea or constipation, or may cause both at different times. With IBS, the colon does not function normally although there...
According to gastroenterologists Michael Camilleri and Joseph A. Murray in the 2008 edition of "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine," approximately 20 percent of Americans suffer from symptoms of chronic constipation. Constipation that...
Constipation affects about half of all women during pregnancy, according to the American Pregnancy Association. There are a number of reasons women are impacted by this uncomfortable problem. Pregnant women tend to become less physically active,...
Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a condition of the large intestine that may cause a number of uncomfortable symptoms including abdominal pain, gas, bloating, diarrhea and constipation. While there is no cure for IBS, it can by managed by...
Constipation is an intestinal disorder characterized by the production of fewer than three bowel movements in a seven-day period. In many cases, this disorder results from the lack of a substance called fiber in your diet. You can increase your...
Although pregnancy is a wonderful and special experience, the physical changes that occur during this time can cause extreme discomfort. Unfortunately, changes during pregnancy can make expectant mothers more susceptible to symptoms of...
Constipation is characterized by less frequent, hard and dry stools and is common in children, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Babies and toddlers under 2 years of age experience varied bowel movement...
Constipation is an unpleasant digestive condition that makes having a bowel movement difficult. This occurs most often when you have not been drinking enough fluids, eating enough fiber or exercising, among other lifestyle factors. While eating...
Constipation in infants is not uncommon. It often strikes when babies transition to solid food or at the introduction of any new food, including formula supplementation. Emotional stress, dehydration, fever and certain medical conditions can also...
Along with your liver, lungs, kidneys and skin, your colon aids in body waste excretion. A healthy colon passes food through your intestines in a timely manner. Constipation occurs when food transport slows and allows toxins to be reabsorbed and...
Doctors prescribe iron supplements for iron-deficiency anemia, which can develop when sufficient iron intake is not achieved through diet or with certain conditions such as heavy menstrual periods, pregnancy, Crohn's disease or kidney failure. A...
Benign growths in the uterus, called uterine fibroids, might appear during childbearing years. Up to 75 percent of women develop a uterine fibroid at some point during their lives, and many cause no symptoms. Other fibroids cause symptoms such as...
Colon cleansing is a technique used to void fecal matter from your colon. Some alternative medicine practitioners recommend this technique as a way to clear unwanted toxins from your body. Fiber supplements are products designed to increase the...
The medicinal herb cascara sagrada, a stimulant laxative, has been used for centuries to treat occasional constipation and related symptoms. Although this herbal laxative can provide occasional relief from bowel irregularity, it is not considered...
Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is not a disease but a group of symptoms, including abdominal pain or cramps, gas and diarrhea or constipation. The symptoms of IBS occur because the large intestine processes your food too fast or too slow....
Indigestion can be uncomfortable, painful and embarrassing. Not only do specific foods lead to indigestion but stress and anxiety play a large role in proper digestion. Homeopathy is an effective, noninvasive way to treat your abdominal complaints...
Constipation occurs when you have to strain to pass a bowel movement. Constipation can be caused by blockages in the intestines, stomach conditions and medication and multivitamin side effects. In some cases fiber can relieve constipation, but...
Difficulty having bowel movements can cause discomfort and anxiety. Although many people use over-the-counter laxatives to treat symptoms of constipation, minor cases of difficult bowel movements might benefit from changes in diet. Certain foods...
Calcium supplements do not cause an upset stomach directly; however, they can cause constipation, which may upset the stomach. Multivitamins that contain calcium can cause nausea and stomach discomfort. Consult with your physician if you have...
There are many causes of pregnancy constipation. The digestive tract of a pregnant woman slows down so that she can extract all the nutrition from her food, explain Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel in their book "What To Expect When You're...
Constipation, which is characterized by difficult or infrequent bowel movements, is an uncomfortable condition but can usually be treated effectively with simple remedies. Eating more high-fiber foods is one potential way to keep constipation at...
Constipation is a condition in which waste material moves through your intestines slowly, causing abdominal discomfort and poor vitamin absorption. Chronic constipation can also contribute to headaches, hemorrhoids, depression, insomnia and...
Constipation is not pleasant, and is a possible symptom of many conditions, including iodine deficiency. With the advent of iodized salt, most individuals in the United States get adequate amounts of iodine. If you have constipation and think you...
Fiber is a source of carbohydrates in your daily diet that remains largely undigested in your body. This does not mean fiber does not have value in your diet. Instead of being digested for nutrients, fiber is responsible for adding bulk to your...
If you have chronic constipation accompanied by a headache, you're right to wonder if the two are related. Yes, constipation can be related to a headache, although it probably doesn't actually cause the headache. It's more likely that a common...
Fiber is the indigestible material found in many foods, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Just because your body doesn't digest it doesn't mean fiber isn't important to your daily diet. You need fiber to maintain healthy bowel...
Educate yourself about the symptoms of diverticulitis, a disorder in which small pouches in your digestive tract become inflamed and possibly infected. Unfortunately, you may not know that you have diverticulitis until the inflammation is quite...
Opioids are a class of drugs with analgesic properties, along with powerful addictive and physiological properties. They are prescribed for short-term pain management. Commonly prescribed opioids are codeine; hydrocodone, also called Vicodin;...
The KeepKidsHealthy website states that constipation is a common problem for children. It is defined by hard, painful stools or not having a bowel movement for four or more days. Once constipation develops and a child has painful stool, he may...
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...
Constipation is the condition of experiencing hard feces which are difficult to pass. Learn remedies and treatment options for constipation in this health video.
Spastic Colon is commonly known as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) which is a problem people have when there are intestinal motility problems. Learn more about the symptoms, prevention, and treatment of this condition in this video.