Constipation

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Digestive system organs

Sources of fiber

Constipation is most often defined as having a bowel movement less than 3 times per week. It usually is associated with hard stools or difficulty passing stools. You may have pain while passing stools or may be unable to have a bowel movement after straining or pushing for more than 10 minutes.

Infants who are exclusively breastfed may go 7 days without a bowel movement.

Irregularity of bowels; Lack of regular bowel movements

Normal patterns of bowel elimination vary widely from person to person and you may not have a bowel movement every day. While some healthy people have consistently soft or near-runny stools, others have consistently firm stools, but no difficulty passing them.

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When the stool is infrequent, or requires significant effort to pass, you have constipation. The passage of large, wide, or hard stools may tear the mucosal membrane of the anus, especially in children. This can cause bleeding and the possibility of an anal fissure.

Constipation is most often caused by:

• Low-fiber diet
• Lack of physical activity
• Not drinking enough water
• Delay in going to the bathroom when you have the urge to move your bowels

Stress and travel can also contribute to constipation or other changes in bowel habits.

Other causes of constipation may include:

• Colon cancer
• Diseases of the bowel, such as irritable bowel syndrome
• Pregnancy
• Underactive thyroid
• Mental health disorders
• Neurological disorders and diseases
• Use of certain medications

Constipation in children often occurs if they hold back bowel movements when they aren't ready for toilet training or are afraid of it.

Review Date: 08/14/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).