Constipation means that a person has three or fewer bowel movement in a week. The stool can be hard and dry. Sometimes it is painful to pass. At one time or another, almost everyone gets constipated. In most cases, it lasts a short time and is not serious.
There are many things you can do to prevent constipation. They include
It's not important that you have a bowel movement every day. If your bowel habits change, however, check with your doctor.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Also available in Spanish
Basics | Learn More | Multimedia & Cool Tools |
---|---|---|
Research | Reference Shelf | For You |
Also available in Spanish
Also available in Spanish
Also available in Spanish
Also available in Spanish
Also available in Spanish
Also available in Spanish
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
Also available in Spanish
Also available in Spanish
Also available in Spanish
Home | Health Topics | Drugs & Supplements | Encyclopedia | Dictionary | News | Directories | Other Resources | |
Disclaimers | Copyright | Privacy | Accessibility | Quality Guidelines U.S. National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894 National Institutes of Health | Department of Health & Human Services |
Date last updated: 21 August 2008 Topic last reviewed: 26 June 2008 |