Southern Gastroenterology Associates

Mark Kukler, DO
Scott Schorr, MD
Marcelle Owens, MD
Arvind Kulkarni, MD
Tanya Rutledge, MD

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Did You Know?

Wireless capsule endoscopy is a remarkable new technique that can help diagnose problems not detected by conventional studies such as gastroscopy and colonoscopy. During this test, the patient swallows a tiny video capsule, about the size of a large vitamin, that can transmit up to 50,000 color images as it moves through the digestive tract. Ask us about this procedure on your next visit.

Constipation
Constipation is the infrequent and difficult passage of stool. The frequency of bowel movements among healthy people varies greatly, ranging from three movements a day to three a week. As a rule, if more than three days pass without a bowel movement, the intestinal contents may harden, and a person may have difficulty or even pain during elimination. Stool may harden and be painful to pass, however, even after shorter intervals between bowel movements. Straining during bowel movements or the feeling of incomplete evacuation may also be reported as constipation.

Many false beliefs exist concerning proper bowel habits. One of these is that a bowel movement every day is necessary. Another common fallacy is that wastes stored in the body are absorbed and are dangerous to health or shorten the life span. These misconceptions have led to a marked overuse and abuse of laxatives. Every year, Americans spend $725 million on laxatives. Many are not needed and some are harmful.

Constipation is a symptom, not a disease. Like a fever, constipation can be caused by many different conditions. Most people have experienced an occasional brief bout of constipation that has corrected itself with diet and time.

MORE

Chronic Viral Hepatitis

Cirrhosis of the Liver

Colon Cancer

Constipation

Gallstones

Gas in the Digestive Tract

Heartburn

Hemorrhoids

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Lactose Intolerance

Pancreatitis

Peptic Ulcer Disease