bloodstream, and the remaining solid material is elimi-
nated as waste or stool. Constipation occurs when too
much water is removed from the slurry, and it becomes
difficult or painful to eliminate the stool. The most com-
monreasonwhytoomuchwaterisremovedisthatthe
material stays too long in the colon.
The frequency of bowel movements varies greatly
from person to person and is influenced by age, health,
diet, and lifestyle. It is a common misperception that a
daily bowel movement is necessary for health. This is
not true. For some healthy people, it is normal to have
three bowel movements a day, while other healthy
people have only three a week. Determining whether
an individual is constipated must start with knowing
what frequency of bowel movements is normal for that
person.Constipation is an acute or chronic condition in which bowel movements occur less often than usual or consist of hard, dry
stools that are painful or difficult to pass.(Illustration by Electronic Illustrators Group/Thomson Gale.)
Constipation