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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffConstipation is a common gastrointestinal problem. People who experience constipation have infrequent bowel movements, pass hard stools or strain during bowel movements.
What's considered normal frequency for bowel movements varies widely. In general, however, you're probably experiencing constipation if you pass fewer than three stools a week, and your stools are hard and dry.
Fortunately, most cases of constipation are temporary. Simple lifestyle changes, such as getting more exercise and eating a high-fiber diet, can go a long way toward alleviating constipation. Constipation may also be treated with over-the-counter laxatives.
- Constipation. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/constipation/. Accessed Nov. 10, 2008.
- Wald A, et al. Treatment of chronic constipation in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 10, 2008.
- Wald A, et al. Etiology and evaluation of chronic constipation in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 10, 2008.
- Pohl D, et al. Pharmacologic treatment of constipation: What is new? Current Opinion in Pharmacology. 2008;8:724.
- Constipation. American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. http://www.fascrs.org/patients/conditions/constipation. Accessed Nov. 10, 2008.
- Constipation. American Gastroenterological Association. http://www.gastro.org/wmspage.cfm?parm1=687. Accessed Nov. 10, 2008.
- Bharucha A. Constipation. Best Practice and Research Clinical Gastroenterology. 2007;21:709.
- Patel S, et al. Constipation. In: Feldman M, et al. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2006. http://ww.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/113047217-6/780888909/1389/98.html?printing=true. Accessed Nov. 10, 2008.
- Culbert T, et al. Integrative approaches to childhood constipation and encopresis. Pediatric Clinics of North America. 2007;54:927.
