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Other Health Topics:
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Related Topics
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Go Local
- Services and providers for Constipation in the U.S.
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National Institutes of Health
- The primary NIH organization for research on Constipation is the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Languages
Constipation
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
- Eating more fruits, vegetables and grains, which are high in fiber
- Drinking plenty of water and other liquids
- Getting enough exercise
- Taking time to have a bowel movement when you need to
- Using laxatives only if your doctor says you should
- Asking your doctor if medicines you take may cause constipation
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
Start Here
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Constipation
(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
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Constipation: Keeping Your Bowels Moving Smoothly(American Academy of Family Physicians)
Also available in Spanish
| Basics | Learn More | Multimedia & Cool Tools |
|---|---|---|
| Research | Reference Shelf | For You |
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Overviews
- Constipation(American Gastroenterological Association)
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What I Need to Know about Constipation
(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
Also available in Spanish
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Diagnosis/Symptoms
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Colonoscopy(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
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Colonoscopy
(Patient Education Institute) - Requires Flash Player
Also available in Spanish
- Elimination Problems(American Academy of Family Physicians)
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Flexible Sigmoidoscopy(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
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Lower Gastrointestinal (GI) Tract X-Ray (Barium Enema "BE")(American College of Radiology, Radiological Society of North America)
Also available in Spanish
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Lower GI Series (Barium Enema)(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
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Colonoscopy
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Treatment
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Laxatives: OTC Products for Constipation(American Academy of Family Physicians)
Also available in Spanish
- Over the Counter Laxatives for Constipation: Use with Caution(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
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Laxatives: OTC Products for Constipation(American Academy of Family Physicians)
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Alternative Therapy
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Flaxseed and Flaxseed Oil(National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
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Flaxseed and Flaxseed Oil
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Related Issues
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Fiber: How to Increase the Amount in Your Diet(American Academy of Family Physicians)
Also available in Spanish
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Fiber: How to Increase the Amount in Your Diet(American Academy of Family Physicians)
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Tutorials
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Colonoscopy(Patient Education Institute) - Requires Flash Player
Also available in Spanish
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Colonoscopy(Patient Education Institute) - Requires Flash Player
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Clinical Trials
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Constipation(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Constipation
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Journal Articles
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Methylnaltrexone (Relistor) for opioid induced constipation.
- Article: Update on the management of adults with chronic idiopathic constipation.
- Article: Systematic review of randomized controlled trials of the effectiveness of...
- Constipation -- see more articles
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Directories
- GI Physician Locator(American College of Gastroenterology)
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Organizations
- American Gastroenterological Association
- American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons
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National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
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Children
- Constipation(Nemours Foundation)
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Constipation in Children(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
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Constipation in Children(American Academy of Family Physicians)
Also available in Spanish
- Infant Constipation: How Is It Treated?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
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Stool Soiling and Constipation in Children(American Academy of Family Physicians)
Also available in Spanish
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Teenagers
- Constipation(Nemours Foundation)
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Women
- Pregnancy and Constipation(American Pregnancy Association)
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Seniors
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Concerned about Constipation?(National Institute on Aging)
Also available in Spanish
- Eldercare at Home: Constipation(AGS Foundation for Health in Aging)
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Concerned about Constipation?
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Date last updated: 21 August 2008 Topic last reviewed: 26 June 2008 |