A person who has constipation experiences difficult or infrequent bowel movements and the passage of small amounts of hard, dry stool. Symptoms of constipation can also include feeling bloated, uncomfortable, and sluggish.

 

Almost everyone experiences constipation at one time or another. For the most part, constipation is temporary and is not serious. However, there are several potential complications of constipation. Some of these complications include hemorrhoids, which are swollen and inflamed veins around the anus; anal fissures, which are tears in the skin around the anus; rectal prolapse, in which a small amount of intestinal lining pushes out from the anal opening; and fecal impaction, which occurs when the normal pushing action of the colon is not enough to expel the stool from the rectum.

 

A few of the things that you can do to help relieve constipation include increasing fiber in your diet, drinking plenty of fluids, adding bran to your food, and making certain lifestyle changes (such as getting daily exercise).

 

Welcome to the Constipation Health Channel by eMedTV. Here you will find a wealth of information on constipation, including its symptoms, how it can be diagnosed and treated, and some specific foods that can cause it. Whether you are concerned that your child might have constipation or are curious about some of the medicines that are available to treat constipation, you will find the information you're looking for here.

 

You can begin your eMedTV constipation experience by clicking on any of the featured constipation links on this page. You can also begin by clicking on the health topics listed to the left or by using the search box at the top of the page.