Constipation

Constipation is passage of only small amounts of hard, dry stools, usually fewer than three times a week. People who are constipated may find it difficult and painful to have a bowel movement. Other symptoms of constipation include feeling bloated, uncomfortable, and sluggish.

Follow the links below to find information about constipation.

Reviewed May 2008

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Constipation in Children
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Links to information about constipation in children.
23 Resources Found
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Title:   Constipation
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Constipation is the passing of hard, dry stools. The most common causes of constipation include a change in routine, inadequate fibre in the daily diet, insufficient fluids and lack of exercise.
Date:   Aug 2008
Title:   Constipation
Publisher:   CareSearch
Description:   Constipation is common in palliative care patients. Chronic constipation is one of the most frequent side-effects of opioids. These pages provide information and evidence regarding constipation for heath professionals.
Date:   May 2008
Title:   Parkinson's disease and constipation
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Constipation is a common complication of Parkinson's disease. The nerve degeneration which is a symptom of Parkinson's disease can cause bowel muscles to become slow and stiff. Incontinence can be managed with medical treatment, extra fibre in the diet and lifestyle changes. The symptoms of constipation include: dry and difficult to pass bowel motions, feeling the need to strain on the toilet and feeling like the bowel isn't empty.
Date:   Feb 2008
Title:   Mu-opioid antagonists for opioid-induced bowel dysfunction
Publisher:   John Wiley and Sons, Ltd. for The Cochrane Collaboration
Description:   There is insufficient evidence to show that new opioid antagonists are effective in treating constipation due to strong analgesics. Opioids (morphine-like drugs) are substances used to treat severe pain. They cause many side effects, and frequently affe...
Date:   Feb 2008
Title:   Constipation
Publisher:   Virtual Medical Centre.com
Description:   Information on the symptoms, treatment and diagnosis of constipation written by professional medical specialists.
Date:   Feb 2008
Title:   Constipation
Publisher:   Child and Youth Health - CYH (South Australia)
Description:   Constipation is not a topic that we regularly talk about. So how do you find out what it is, why you cannot use your bowels when you want to, and how to manage it?
Date:   Nov 2007
Title:   Multiple sclerosis - common problems
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an incurable disease of the central nervous system that can affect the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. Common problems may include fatigue, incontinence, constipation, pain, cognitive changes, altered sensation, and muscular and visual changes.
Date:   Oct 2007
Title:   Constipation
Publisher:   Child and Youth Health - CYH (South Australia)
Description:   Constipation is not a topic that we regularly talk about. So how do you find out what it is, why you cannot use your bowels when you want to, and how to manage it?
Date:   Sep 2007
Title:   Bowel motions
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Many illnesses can affect the colour and texture of faeces. See your doctor if you experience changes in bowel motions that don't resolve within a day or two. Seek urgent medical attention if your stools are bloody.
Date:   Aug 2007
Title:   Tegaserod for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome and chronic constipation
Publisher:   John Wiley and Sons, Ltd. for The Cochrane Collaboration
Description:   Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic, relapsing condition characterized by the presence of abdominal pain and disturbed bowel habit. Symptoms of chronic constipation frequently resemble those of constipation-predominant IBS. Tegaserod (4 or 12 mg...
Date:   Jul 2007
Title:   Sacral nerve stimulation for faecal incontinence and constipation in adults
Publisher:   John Wiley and Sons, Ltd. for The Cochrane Collaboration
Description:   Faecal incontinence happens when a person passes faeces (stools) without the usual control, whereas someone with constipation passes stools less often than normal and with difficulty. Both conditions can severely affect people's quality of life. Sacral ...
Date:   May 2007
Title:   Haemorrhoids
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Haemorrhoids, or piles, are varicose veins of the rectum or anus. They are usually caused by years of straining on the toilet because of chronic constipation. A high fibre diet is the basis of both prevention and treatment.
Date:   Feb 2007
Title:   Constipation: what you need to know
Publisher:   myDr
Description:   Constipation is when you have a change in normal bowel habits, with the time between bowel motions becoming longer or bowel motions (faeces) that are very hard and difficult to pass.
Date:   Nov 2006
Title:   Laxatives for the management of constipation in palliative care patients
Publisher:   John Wiley and Sons, Ltd. for The Cochrane Collaboration
Description:   Constipation is commonly experienced by palliative care patients as a result of the use of medications, such as opioids for pain control; dietary and mobility factors, as well as disease related factors. This review aimed to determine the effectiveness ...
Date:   Aug 2006
Title:   Constipation: nutritional help
Publisher:   myDr
Description:   Some tips that may help bowel movement.
Date:   Jul 2006
Title:   Management of faecal incontinence and constipation in adults with central neurological diseases
Publisher:   John Wiley and Sons, Ltd. for The Cochrane Collaboration
Description:   The objective of this review was to determine the effects of management strategies for faecal incontinence and constipation in people with neurological diseases affecting the central nervous system. Individuals with neurological disease have a much high...
Date:   Feb 2006
Title:   Laxatives for the treatment of hemorrhoids
Publisher:   John Wiley and Sons, Ltd. for The Cochrane Collaboration
Description:   Symptomatic hemorrhoids are a common medical condition but what causes them is not completely understood. Minimizing constipation with its associated prolonged straining may affect both lifestyle measures and medicines used as treatments for symptomati...
Date:   Jun 2005
Title:   Constipation and urinary incontinence
Publisher:   Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing
Description:   Fact sheet for indigenous communities on constipation and urinary incontinence. Constipation is a common problem, resulting in less frequent bowel actions, which can add to loss of bladder control.
Date:   Dec 2003
Title:   Continence: Constipation and urinary incontinence
Publisher:   Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing
Description:   Constipation can contribute to loss of bladder control by: 1) Weakening of the pelvic floor muscles 2) A full bowel pressing on the bladder can obstruct the outflow of urine, or affect the capacity of the bladder.
Date:   Dec 2003
Title:   Your questions to the PBAC. Availability of bulking and osmotic laxative agents as pharmaceutical benefits
Publisher:   Australian Prescriber
Description:   The PBAC is reluctant to recommend laxative products for listing on the PBS and considers that other measures such as modification of diet can be used in the treatment of constipation in most patients.
Date:   Apr 2003
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