Constipation refers to bowel movements that are infrequent or hard to pass.It is a condition of the digestive system where an individual has hard feces that are difficult to expel. In most cases, this occurs because the colon has absorbed too much water from the food that is in the colon.The slower the food moves through the digestive tract, the more water the colon will absorb from it. Consequently, the feces become dry and hard.When this happens, emptying the bowels can become very painful.
*Symptoms:
- stomach ache
- stomach cramps
- feeling bloated and nauseous
- losing appetite
- Hard or small stools
- Rectal bleeding and/or anal fissures caused by hard stools.
- Passing fewer than three stools a week
- Feeling as though there’s a blockage in your rectum that prevents bowel movements
- Feeling as though you can’t completely empty the stool from your rectum.