Rectal prolapse occurs when the tissue lining the rectum collapses into, or extends through, the anal opening. It most often happens following a bowel movement, resulting in a mass protruding from the anus. The rectal tissue lining may show, and...
Fiber is an important component of your daily diet because it helps your digestive system maintain regularity. The two main kinds of fiber are soluble and insoluble, depending on whether or not it dissolves in water. Both types of fiber keep your...
Rectal prolapse is a condition in which the rectum, a portion of the colon, looses its internal support and protrudes from the anus. Rectal prolapse may be internal, but in advanced stages, it becomes visible outside the body. Continual rectal...
Short periods of regular vigorous exercise offer numerous health benefits, but running several hours each day strains joints and ligaments and can also damage your rectum. Strenuous, prolonged running weakens the smooth muscles surrounding your...
Hemorrhoids are one of the most common medical ailments known. According to The American College of Gastroenterology, nearly half of all Americans will develop them by the age of 50. Two types of hemorrhoids occur, external and internal. External...
Colitis is the general term used to describe inflammation of the colon or large intestine. There are several causes of colitis in children. Infectious colitis is the result of infection, usually by a virus or bacteria. The other common cause of...
Weakened rectal muscles can cause fecal incontinence, defined as the inability to control bowel movements. Although it can be embarrassing and unpleasant, fecal incontinence is far from uncommon; the American College of Gastroenterologists reports...
Hemorrhoids, a painful condition that causes swelling and inflammation in the veins of your lower rectum and anus, can occur as the result of pregnancy or straining during a bowel movement. Pressure on the rectal area can also build up over time,...
Blood in your toddler's stool may be the result of a few different problems, and it is often difficult to determine the cause yourself. Because of the potentially dangerous situations, it is best to seek prompt medical attention if you see blood...
When your doctor places you on a cholesterol-lowering medication, it is only natural to believe you are on your way to improving your health. There is one catch in this plan, though, and this is the possible side effects accompanying the drug your...
Docusate sodium, or Colace, is a medication in a class of drugs known as stool softeners. Docusate is used to treat or prevent constipation, and to reduce pain or rectal damage caused by hard stools or by straining during bowel movements. It may...
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,...
At seven months (28 weeks) into your pregnancy, you are in the first week of your third trimester and about 12 weeks from your due date. By this week, your baby weighs 2 1/4 pounds (about the size of a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches...
Hemorrhoids are swollen and inflamed veins in the anus and lower rectum. They may be caused by increased pressure on rectal veins during pregnancy, straining during a bowel movement, chronic constipation or diarrhea, anal intercourse or obesity....
Colace (docusate) is a medication used to treat constipation. According to Drugs.com, it is a stool softener that makes your bowels softer. Easier bowel movements decrease pain, straining and damage to your rectal tissues. Colace is available as a...
Sudal-12 is a medication used to manage such symptoms as sneezing, a runny nose, a skin rash, cough and watery eyes. According to Drugs.com, Sudal-12 is a combination of the drugs chlorpheniramine and pseudoephedrine. Chlorpheniramine is an...
No one likes to talk about it, but sometimes you just can’t go. You’re not alone. More than 4 million Americans complain of frequent constipation, or fewer than three bowel movements per week, reports the National Digestive Diseases...
Hemorrhoids are blood vessels covered with skin. According to The National Library of Medicine, external hemorrhoids occur at the anal opening and are pushed outwards. They will look blue most of the time, but when inflamed, they will become red....
Piles, commonly referred to as hemorrhoids, are swollen veins in the anus and rectum. The swollen blood vessels may form inside or outside the anus, causing symptoms such as pain, itching and bleeding. The treatment for piles includes home...
Colace, a brand name, has one active ingredient which is docusate sodium. Docusate sodium, a stool softener, is the generic name for Colace. Docusate, used to treat constipation, is recommended for patients when straining is not advisable....
Bleeding hemorrhoids is a common digestive issue, especially during pregnancy. You can get bleeding hemorrhoids from straining during bowel movements. Constipation increases your risk for this reason. Vitamin K is a common remedy for bleeding...
Many people use over-the-counter laxatives to treat occasional constipation. Some of the most popular laxatives used include products that contain magnesium salts. Although the use of laxatives can acutely relieve symptoms of constipation, overuse...
Rectal prolapse is defined as the slipping or falling down of the tissue lining the rectum either into the rectal opening or protruding from the anus. The rectum is the distal end of the large colon that connects to the anus. The condition occurs...
Stool softeners are used as a short-term treatment to soften the stools and avoid straining in individuals with constipation or heart disease or those who have just had hemorrhoid or heart surgery. Stool softeners include Colace, Ducusate, Dialose...
Watery diarrhea can be a signal of an underlying medical condition. For instance, viruses can infiltrate the digestive tract and affect stool formation. Sometimes, the intestines can become inflamed or the stool may be hardened. The causes of...
Rectal prolapse occurs when a portion of the rectum stretches and pushes out of the anal opening. The condition is different from hemorrhoids because it involves an upper portion of the colon, and not the area near the immediate anal opening,...
Constipation can impact nearly everyone, including children, and coping with the discomfort is often stressful for a child. Caregivers have many options for home remedies that can reduce pain from constipation and relieve the constipation, but...
According to GiCare.com, hemorrhoids are one of the most common disorders. They can be chronic but are rarely serious. The pain associated with the inflamed vein in and around the anus can be excruciating and even debilitating. Common causes of...
Colestipol HCL (hydrochloride) is a medication used to treat high cholesterol levels (hypercholesteremia). Cholesterol refers to a waxy substance that can build up and obstruct your blood vessels. Colestipol reduces the bad cholesterol, also known...