How do I know if I’m constipated?
Constipation means that stools don’t pass often, or pass less than three times per week.
You may have hard stools that are difficult to pass, or feel like you haven’t emptied completely following a bowel movement.
Typical symptoms of constipation include:
Abdominal pain or discomfort that comes and goes and improves with a bowel movement
Gas
Bloating
Straining with bowel movements
Infrequent stools
Hard or lumpy stools, and/or
A feeling of incomplete emptying after a bowel movement.
Any patients with alarm symptoms including weight loss, bleeding, blood in the stools, black tarry stools, blood with wiping, anemia, back pain, fevers, chills, sweats, or symptoms that started after the age of 45 need to be aggressively and promptly evaluated by a physician.