You may have heard that your digestive woes -- constipation or diarrhea, digestive discomfort or heartburn -- are all related to digestive enzyme insufficiencies, and that you can treat them with supplemental enzymes. The fact is that digestive...
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 is a condition in which bowel movements are few or hard to pass, due to hardening of waste matter within the bowels. This can be caused by a number of factors, including poor diet, dehydration and some medicines. Constipation can lead...
The body needs iron for the production of hemoglobin; hemoglobin makes red blood cells, which are necessary for the transportation of oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. An iron deficiency means that the body is not getting the oxygen...
To get "cut" means to exercise and eat in such a way as to reduce you body fat so you are lean and your muscles are clearly defined. Do not drop down too far below what your recommended range of a healthy body mass index. Know what your resting...
Stress, poor diet, inactivity, medical conditions and medications can all contribute to a slow digestive system. Constipation, which usually results from an impaired digestive system, can be uncomfortable and cause gas, bloating and interfere with...
According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, frequent constipation affects more than 4 million Americans every year. Constipation can be caused by several factors including lack of fiber in the diet, lack of physical...
Digestive complaints are, unfortunately, quite common during pregnancy. Particularly in the early stages, pregnancy hormones can slow the muscular movements of the digestive tract, leading to uncomfortable bloating and constipation. Later in...
Dannon makes both Activia and Danactive yogurts, which contain probiotics -- beneficial bacteria that regulate your digestive system and can help ease constipation. Probiotics, from the latin "pro" and "biota," meaning "for life," are...
Food must be digested because the body cannot use food in the state that it is eaten to provide itself with nutrition and energy. Without the mechanical and biochemical process of digestion, foodstuffs would be removed from the digestive system...
Normal bowel habits vary. Some people will have a bowel movement every day; for others it happens every two or three days. As long as you maintain the same schedule, it means you're regular. If you suddenly miss days or are having trouble with...
Constipation is a gastrointestinal condition characterized by infrequent bowel movements, hard stools or straining during bowel movements. Constipation is usually defined as passing fewer than three bowel movements per week, as well as dry, hard...
Bloating and abdominal pain are two uncomfortable symptoms of constipation. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, constipation is a common occurrence, with more than four million Americans experiencing the...
One of the most common gastrointestinal complaints among Americans is constipation, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Constipation is characterized by fewer than three bowel movements per week. Constipation...
Constipation and digestive gas are uncomfortable, frustrating problems. Sometimes these issues happen together, and sometimes they occur separately. Difficult bowel movements and excess gas are often preventable with simple lifestyle changes....
While the act of swallowing is conscious, once food passes into the stomach, it moves along through the rest of the gastrointestinal tract based upon the rate of peristalsis, or waves of muscular motion through the stomach and intestine. Since...
The colon makes up the longest portion of your large intestine. Its primary function is to process waste from food product, form feces and send the fecal waste out of your body. The colon also houses trillions of healthy bacteria, which plays a...
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,...
Although many people believe that they should have a bowel movement every day, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders notes that constipation is defined as having less than three bowel movements per week....
Constipation can be uncomfortable and can cause pain or lead to serious medical problems such as a bowel obstruction. If you are trying to remedy or prevent constipation, it is important to consider how your diet may be affecting how regular your...
Calcium citrate is commonly used to increase daily calcium intake, but using this medication may lead to a digestive problem: constipation. Constipation is a common side effect when using calcium citrate, according to Drugs.com. If you develop...
Newborns are especially prone to constipation, thanks to immature digestive systems paired with common diet changes. When your infant is constipated, you may notice hard stools, baby struggling to make a bowel movement, a hardened abdomen or days...
Hernias are the result of the bulging of the intestines, abdominal fat or bladder through the abdominal muscles. Hernias can be painful and can cause swelling of the affected area. Hernias typically require surgical repair to help relieve the...
Regular bowel movements, or the removal of waste from the human body, are a part of proper digestion. Constipation, that is, infrequent or difficult bowel movements, is a common complaint, and it may call for treatment in the form of a laxative to...
If you have a bowel movement fewer than three times a week, you are constipated, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Constipation is a symptom and not considered an illness. In order to properly treat the...
Digestive disorders can range from being mildly uncomfortable to causing severe pain at times. Problems may develop from something you ate or because of a condition that makes your digestive tract worse from your diet. Knowing the particular...
According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, more than 4 million Americans suffer from constipation, which results in about 2.5 million physician visits a year. Constipation associated with taking iron might be prevented...
The quality and frequency of your bowel movements can provide significant information about your overall health. Certain abnormalities, including diarrhea and constipation, may signal a problem with your digestive system. Healthy stool is soft and...
It is considered healthy to have anywhere from one to three bowel movements a day, but for many this isn't the case. Constipation is a condition characterized by infrequent bowel movements that occur less than three times a week, and can be...
