Constipation is usually caused by one or a combination of several factors, including a highly processed diet, dehydration and lack of exercise. Constipation becomes more common as people age and the digestive system slows, but it can strike at any...
Most hemorrhoids are benign in origin and often result from straining during a bowel movement or from pregnancy. Hemorrhoids are actually columns of cells infused by veins, but when that blood supply is cut off or otherwise interfered with, the...
If you're having fewer bowel movements than you normally have, or you're straining to have a bowel movement, you might be constipated. Many things can cause constipation, but not eating enough fiber in your diet is the most common cause, according...
The digestive system is set up to be a one-direction pathway: certain anatomical structures act as one-way valves along the way. One of these structures--the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES--is located at the end of the esophagus, just before...
Fainting episodes can be scary. When a person loses consciousness, visions of a heart attack or serious illness quickly come to mind. That is not usually the case. Fainting is caused by a lack of blood flow to the brain, and most episodes last a...
Hemorrhoids occur when veins around the anus or lower rectum become inflamed, which can break open and bleed. Hemorrhoids often result from straining to have a bowel movement, pregnancy, chronic diarrhea or constipation or aging, states the...
Amitiza, or lubiprostone, is a prescription medication used in the treatment of chronic constipation and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation. According to the Amitiza website, the cause of constipation is idiopathic, or unknown, and is not...
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...
Groin hernias, also called inguinal hernias, occur when a section of the lower abdominal wall weakens or tears and allows soft tissue to protrude. According to the Mayo Clinic, the most common tissue to protrude through the hole is the small...
Constipation is a common complaint among Americans; however, after a laparotomy, surgeons advise patients to avoid straining with a bowel movement because this can disrupt the placement of sutures and impede the development of scar tissue that...
Placenta previa is a potentially deadly complication of late pregnancy. The placenta implants low on the uterine wall in placenta previa and covers part or all of the cervical opening. As the cervix begins to thin or dilate, the placenta tears...
You may notice your infant is becoming constipated by the frequency and manner of how his stools are passed. If your infant is straining to have a bowel movement, having them once or less per day or is passing hard and small stools, he may be...
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...
A diet that is deficient in natural fiber foods is one of the leading causes of constipation. While the human body does not digest fiber, it helps the body to absorb the nutrients from the foods we eat and facilitates the expulsion of waste from...
The Mayo Clinic defines diverticulitis as the inflammation of one or more diverticula in the intestines. This can be a painful and serious condition, and prompt diagnosis and treatment is important, especially in severe cases. Although there is no...
You need calcium to form good healthy bones and teeth. This essential mineral works with vitamin D in producing a binding effect to remove phosphate; too much phosphate can cause kidney problems. Taking high potency calcium 600 mg can help you...
A hernia in the groin, also called inguinal hernia, occurs when abdominal fat or part of the intestine slides through a weak area at the inguinal ring or the opening to the inguinal canal. A groin hernia can appear at any time from infancy...
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse characterizes constipation as having fewer than three bowel movements per week. When the colon's muscle contractions make the passing of stool too slow, or if the colon absorbs too much water,...
An atrial septal defect (ASD) is a persistent communication between the upper chambers of the heart. It is present in about one to two percent of the population. The defect results when tissue fails to form correctly between the atria. An ASD...
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...
Laxatives are traditionally used to facilitate elimination, but are a popular weight-loss aid as well. However, their safety for use as a diet tool is circumspect. While encouraging bowel movements, particularly if you are constipated, can be...
About 5 million Americans develop hernias ever year, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. A hernia occurs when part of an organ protrudes through its own wall or when an organ or tissue protrudes from a weak spot in the...
Fiber is found in plant foods; it is the indigestible part of the food. Although it doesn't provide nutrients, fiber is essential for health. Fiber is usually described as soluble or insoluble. Insoluble fiber, found in whole grains and seeds,...
Rectal bleeding refers to any blood that passes through your anus -- including bleeding from your lower colon and the last few inches of your large intestine -- according to MayoClinic.com. Rectal bleeding can have a variety of causes. However,...
Strawberries are a popular summer fruit and are enjoyed year-round when canned or frozen. The red fruit contains a host of benefits ranging from their high vitamin C content to their ability to lower blood pressure and high cholesterol....
During a normal menstrual cycle, spotting can occur a day or so before a full bleed begins. Some women may experience this spotting as a light brown, pink or red scanty bleed, with or without pain. Spotting is bleeding. The color depends on how...
If your baby is constipated, you can give her prunes to produce a bowel movement. While you should always talk with her pediatrician for treatment specific to her condition, adding prunes to her meal plan can help bowel function and prevent future...
Dietary fiber is found in two forms, soluble and insoluble. Fiber is not digested as it passes through the digestive tract. Grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables contain fiber that helps to move foods through the intestines and prevent...
Hemorrhoids are painful if you get them in the anal area, and internal rectal hemorrhoids can bleed and become prolapsed. This condition has several causes, and certain exercises can aggravate hemorrhoids, but many physical activities help...
Hemorrhoids are swollen, inflamed veins in your anus and rectum which are quite common but also sometimes embarrassing. Learn about the different causes, symptoms, and treatments of hemorrhoids in this video.
