constipation Archives - Healthhype

Tips to Remedy Dry and Hard Stool

Dr. Chris — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 22:32:11 +0000

Normal stool consistency is firm but soft. The moisture content in stool has to be sufficient to ensure that the stool remains soft but not watery and unable to retain its form. However, as the water content in stool decreases, it becomes dry and hard. As a a result passing stool can be difficult and even painful. It may lead to conditions like hemorrhoids. After food is digested and nutrients absorbed, intestinal chyme from the small intestine passes into the large intestine. It is this watery chyme that will be solidified to form stool. The large intestine absorbs water from the chyme as it moves through. The chyme is transformed from a watery consistency to mush and then solid stool as we know it. However, if there are problems in the large intestine where water is absorbed excessively then the stool may become dry and hard. This can also happen if stool stays in the colon of the large intestine for too long. Therefore people who are constipated are more likely to experience dry and hard stool. Apart from the difficulty in defecating, as well as discomfort or pain, the dry and hard stool can become impacted. Here it forms [...]

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7 Tips For Improving Bowel Habit

Dr. Chris — Wed, 08 May 2013 00:45:39 +0000

Not every person has the ideal bowel habit which is as regular as clockwork. It is inconvenient to have to pass stool at an unexpected time, experience loose watery stool or pass very hard stool infrequently. These are signs of poor bowel habit. It is important to first see a doctor to find out if these disturbances may be due to any bowel diseases, be it acute of chronic. If there is no apparent bowel abnormality then you should look at various ways to improve your bowel habit. The reality is that good bowel habit is frequent, regular and somewhat predictable bowel movements with the passage of soft and firm stool that is easily evacuated. If your bowel habit is not as “picture perfect” as this, then consider these tips for better bowel habit. Drink 8 Glasses of Water One of the main reasons for constipation is insufficient water intake during the course of the day. Adults need to consume around 2 to 3 liters (about 65 to 100 ounces) of water daily. Water helps to soften the stool and bulk it up so that it can move more easily through the bowels. It makes passing stool easier as it [...]

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Functional Constipation and Functional Diarrhea

Dr. Chris — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 20:17:37 +0000

Changes in bowel habit is often associated with dietary factors or acute diseases. Less commonly, underlying chronic disease or the use of chronic medication can impact on the frequency of bowel movements with or without an associated change in the stool consistency and volume. Diarrhea is defined as the passage of more than 200ml/200g of stool, usually loose and watery, in a 24 hour period and/or in more than 3 bowel movements within a day. Constipation is defined as the passing of hard stool, with straining and pain and/or less than 3 bowel movements within a week. Despite these definitions, the presentation of these symptoms can vary among individuals. While acute episodes can be explained by infections, dietary and lifestyle factors or iatrogenic causes, there are instances where persistent or recurrent episodes of disordered bowel movement occurs for no known reason. This means that it is neither due to some underlying disease or identifiable physiological factors. In these cases, the change in bowel habit may be associated with a functional bowel disorder. Difference with Idiopathic Constipation and Diarrhea There are several functional bowel disorders but those associated with changes in bowel habit include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional constipation and [...]

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Obstructive Constipation (Obstipation)

Dr. Chris — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 23:22:58 +0000

The normal pattern for bowel movements varies among individuals. For some it is a daily occurrence, and often even several times in the day. For others it is less frequent and possibly not even daily. Normally bowel movements occur at least 3 or more times a week. Ideally it should occur at least once daily but if more than 200g or 200ml of stool is passed in 3 or more movements in a day then it is labeled as diarrhea. Conversely, passing stool less than 3 times a week is labeled as constipation. However, it is not just a matter of the number of bowel movements in a week with constipation – the stool is usually hard and dry and there is significant discomfort and straining during the bowel movement. Constipation is not a disease, it is a symptom. Most cases of constipation occur for no known reason, is not associated with any underlying disease and responds well to dietary changes. These cases are known as simple constipation. When constipation arises due to some underlying disease or contributing factor, it can resolve once the disease is treated and properly managed. A minority of cases are termed as severe idiopathic constipation [...]

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Slow Bowels and Bowel Movements Meaning, Symptoms and Causes

Dr. Chris — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 23:02:41 +0000

From the time food passes into the throat, the alimentary tract takes over the process of moving the bolus (ball of food) or its digested remnants through the gut. The walls of the alimentary tract has muscular layers which contract and relax in a synchronized manner to achieve this transit. This process is known as peristalsis. As food moves through the gut and is broken down in various stages, a host of other substances is added to the mix including digestive enzymes, bile, mucus and water. Food enters through the mouth, is digested, the nutrients absorbed and waste discarded through the anus. The time for this to occur is known as the bowel transit time. It varies even in the same person but is on average about 24 to 36 hours. At certain times it can as early as 12 hours or as late as 72 hours. The bowel transit time depends on multiple factors including the foods eaten, water and fiber intake and any periodic disruptions in bowel motility. What is a slow bowel? Slow bowel is not a medical term or diagnosis. Instead it is used to describe several symptoms that may or may not be associated with [...]

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Overactive Bowel Movements (Hyperactive Bowel) Causes

Dr. Chris — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 04:41:54 +0000

The term diarrhea which indicates the passing of more than 200g or 200ml of stool usually in more than three bowel movements within a 24 hours does not account for every change in bowel habit. With diarrhea, the stool is either watery or of a loose consistency and often accompanied by other symptoms like urgency to defecate, abdominal cramping, excessive flatulence, abdominal bloating and bowel incontinence in severe cases. At times a person may experience frequent bowel movements, where the stool is of a normal consistency. In this case it does not fit into the category of diarrhea but cannot be ignored as being more frequent than normal. It is often referred to as an overactive bowel leading to frequent bowel movements since it cannot be clearly defined clinically. While this reference is not incorrect, it is important not to detract from diarrhea itself, which should be investigated and treated promptly. In the true sense of the word, an overactive bowel is not pathological and will not lead to any complications like dehydration if it persists for a long period of time. Nevertheless, any disturbance in bowel habit in manner that deviates from the norm for a person needs to [...]

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Frequent Bowel Movements – What Causes It?

Dr. Chris — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 23:06:11 +0000

A bowel movement or defecation is the passing of stool through the anus. Normally, it occurs anywhere between one to two times a day to three times or more a week. If it occurs more often or less frequently than the norm, then it is often classified as diarrhea or constipation respectively. However, the definition of diarrhea as having more than 3 bowel movements in a day can be misleading. It does not clearly state the nature and quantity of the bowel movement which are characteristic of a disturbance in the processes of gastrointestinal absorption and defecation. Diarrhea is the passing of more than 200 g (solid) / 200 ml (liquid) of stool in three or more bowel movements within a 24 hour period. The stool is not of a normal consistency, usually watery, and often associated with various other symptoms like urgency, flatulence, abdominal cramping/pain and bowel incontinence to some degree. There are however cases of frequent bowel movements that cannot fit into the classical presentation of diarrhea. While there is no clear clinical definition for this phenomenon, patients will report a change in bowel habit with an increase in the number of bowel movements in a day. Usually [...]

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Chronic Constipation in Children – Cause, Symptoms, Remedies

Jan Modric — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 18:33:44 +0000

Symptoms of Constipation in Children A child is considered constipated when having a bowel movements with difficulty or less than three times a week. Having hard and dry stool, or having a bowel movement every other day and without difficulty is not already considered constipation. Constipation is called chronic when it lasts for more than two weeks. An infant is considered constipated when straining at defecation and having less than one bowel movement in a week.. Symptoms of constipation may include: No bowel movements for several days Hard and dry pebbly stool that is hard to pass, bright red blood on the surface of the stool Poor appetite, nausea Abdominal pain or bloating Tiredness Common Causes of Chronic Constipation in Children 1. Psychological Factors A child can react to early or forced toiled training by withholding the stool. Anxiety or depression slows down bowel motility resulting in constipation. Over-demanding parents and emotional problems with peers may be the cause. A child can deliberately hold the stool back as the way of protest or to express the need for attention. Children, mainly adolescent girls, with anorexia nervosa or bulimia are usually also constipated. Constipation may persist even after the eating disorder [...]

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Bowel Movement Changes in Pregnancy

Dr. Alison — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 23:44:47 +0000

Pregnancy brings about many changes in a woman’s body and in the functioning of its various systems, including the gastrointestinal system. Changes in bowel movement, such as constipation is fairly common in pregnant women but occasionally diarrhea can occur for no known reason. Pregnant women may have a variation of their normal bowel movement, alternating between constipation and diarrhea. In most cases, alteration in diet and certain lifestyle changes can restore normal bowel movements and definitive treatment becomes necessary only in case of specific causes of such problems. What is Normal Bowel Movement? It is difficult to define normal bowel movement. Bowel movements can vary from person to person and what is normal in one person may not be considered so in another. A lot of people do not have regular motions every day. A person may normally have one to three bowel movements in a day, or she may have motions every other day without feeling any discomfort. Pregnancy Bowel Habits A woman otherwise having normal bowel habits may suffer from bouts of constipation or diarrhea during pregnancy. An alteration in pregnancy hormones at different stages of pregnancy can bring about this change. Constipation Broadly speaking, constipation may be [...]

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Easy Bowel Movement Diet and Lifestyle Remedies

Dr. Chris — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 22:40:47 +0000

Having a bowel movement may not seem like a significant event to many people but for a person who is constipated it can be difficult and at times even excruciating. It is estimated that about 15% of the American population is constipated and for those with severe constipation, the search for means and methods to facilitate a regular and easier bowel movement is ongoing, often for months and even years or decades. Difficulty Passing Stool Constipation is defined by the difficulty in passing stool, which is often hard and having less than three bowel movements in a week. These definitions do not often illustrate the difficulty that some constipated people may experience on a daily basis. Even though stool may not be passed daily, there is an ongoing discomfort in the rectum and sometimes even the non-stop urging to pass stool despite being unable to do so. Therefore constipation can impact a person adversely, beyond just bowel health. A multi-pronged approach to constipation is usually advised. In many instances constipation is chronic. Even with medication, the relief is only temporary. Therefore an ongoing dietary and lifestyle management program is necessary. This has to be continued in the long term even [...]

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