A - Z Encyclopedia

Understanding Constipation

Symptoms

What Are the Symptoms?

• Hard, compacted stools that are difficult or painful to pass
• Straining during bowel movements
• No bowel movements in three days for adults, four days for children
• Stomachaches that are relieved by bowel movements
• Bloody stools due to tearing of hemorrhoids and anal fissures
• Leaks of wet, almost diarrhea-like stool between regular bowel movements

Call Your Doctor If:

• Constipation is associated with fever and lower abdominal pain, and your stools are thin or loose; these symptoms may be an indication of diverticulitis.
• You have blood in your stools; this may be from a fissure or hemorrhoid but could also be a sign of colorectal cancer; changes in your bowel movement pattern, such as passing pencil-thin stools, may also signal colorectal cancer.
• Your constipation develops after you start a new prescription drug or take vitamin or mineral supplements; you may need to discontinue the medication or change dosage.
• You or your child has been constipated for two to three weeks, with recurrent abdominal pain; this could be a sign of lead poisoning or other serious ailment.
• You are elderly or disabled and have been constipated for a week or more; you may have an impacted stool.
• You are losing weight even though you aren't dieting.
• You have severe pain with bowel movements.

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