Constipation - symptoms and how to test
Suppose you experience less than three bowel movements per week, hard, dry, or lumpy, stools that are difficult or painful to pass, or the sense that not all stool has passed. In that case, you may be suffering from constipation. Constipation is a common health issue, but there are ways to avoid or treat it. Constipation is a problem that affects almost everyone at some point. Constipation is more common in the elderly than in the young, but it isn't a significant problem for the elderly. Doctors employ tests and procedures, such as a digital rectal exam and a thorough physical exam, to diagnose persistent constipation and determine its underlying cause.