Constipation most commonly refers to infrequent or delayed bowel movements. Symptoms of constipation may include passing stool that is hard and dry, needing to strain to have a bowel movement, the feeling of incomplete evacuation, and sometimes feeling pain during a bowel movement.
You may be constipated if you have three or less bowel movements in about a week. Although many people have a daily bowel movement, everyone is different and your body finds its own normal number of bowel movements. The average number of BM’s for adults can vary between three times a day to three times a week. It is a common error for many people to think they are constipated when they are not. Almost everyone will get constipated at some time or another and brief periods of constipation may be normal.
Chronic constipation is a problem as it may be painful and indicative of a more serious illness. If chronic constipation is suspected consult a licensed health care practitioner. Some herbs and natural remedies are a very gentle and helpful relief in cases of constipation.
