Constipation is when stools (poop) are hard, dry or difficult to pass. This picture shows stool that is backed up in the person’s intestines.
Constipation is when stools are hard, dry or difficult to pass. This can make passing stool uncomfortable or can make you want to delay or avoid using the bathroom.
Sometimes, you can pass loose stool around the hard stool that is stuck. We say someone is constipated when he or she has 1 of these signs:
Pooping fewer than 3 times a week
Stool that is hard, dry and small so it is difficult to pass
An X-ray that shows they are constipated
Why am I constipated?
People who have Down syndrome have lower muscle tone. This can make it harder for them to pass stool. You can become constipated for many other reasons.
Some of these reasons are:
Diet that is low in fiber
Lack of exercise
Certain medications
Ignoring the urge to pass stool
Other medical conditions, like celiac disease or untreated thyroid disease
What are the symptoms of constipation?
When you are constipated, the symptoms can be uncomfortable. You might have some of these symptoms:
Feeling full or bloated
Feeling pain when passing stool
Having to push hard when passing stool
Noticing a little blood on the toilet paper from straining
Having accidents with loose stool
How can I help ease my constipation?
There are a few ways you can help ease your constipation. Here are a few suggestions:
Make sure your diet is high in fiber.
Make sure you are getting enough exercise.
Do not to ignore the urge to pass stool
Have your doctor go over your medications to see if any of them can cause constipation.
If you are very constipated, ask the doctor about an initial clean-out. This is when you take medication to ease constipation. Talk to the doctor before starting an initial clean-out.
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Constipation can make it uncomfortable to use the bathroom. In turn, an unpleasant experience with toileting can affect behavior, especially for young children.
When a healthy diet is not enough to ease constipation, you might need to use medication. There are at least five medications your doctor might recommend. Each medication eases constipation differently.