People with chronic constipation caused by anorectal dysfunction can use biofeedback to retrain the muscles that control release of bowel movements bad-breath-bad-breath-halitosis Biofeedback involves using a sensor to monitor muscle activity that at the same time can be displayed on a computer screen, allowing for an accurate assessment of body functions bad-breath-bad-breath-halitosis functions bad-breath-bad-breath-halitosis A health care professional uses this information to help the patient learn how to use these muscles bad-breath-bad-breath-halitosis Physical Examination Problems with Intestinal Function (Chronic Idiopathic Constipation) problems with the colon and rectum Saline laxatives act like a sponge to draw water into the colon for easier passage of of stool bad-breath-bad-breath-halitosis Laxatives in this group include Milk of Magnesia and Haley's M-O bad-breath-bad-breath-halitosis scleroderma sensation of anorectal blockage/obstruction sensation of incomplete evacuation Several kinds of diseases can cause constipation: sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy Sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy bad-breath-bad-breath-halitosis An examination of the rectum and lower (sigmoid) colon is called a sigmoidoscopy bad-breath-bad-breath-halitosis sigmoidoscopy bad-breath-bad-breath-halitosis An examination of the rectum and entire colon is called a colonoscopy bad-breath-bad-breath-halitosis Some medications can cause constipation bad-breath-bad-breath-halitosis They include Some people have chronic constipation that does not respond to standard treatment bad-breath-bad-breath-halitosis This rare condition, known as idiopathic (of unknown origin) chronic constipation may be related to to problems with intestinal function such as problems with hormonal control or with nerves and muscles in the colon, rectum, or anus bad-breath-bad-breath-halitosis Functional constipation occurs in both children and adults and is most common in women bad-breath-bad-breath-halitosis Some people with IBS, also known as spastic colon, have spasms in the the colon that affect bowel movements bad-breath-bad-breath-halitosis Constipation and diarrhea often alternate, and abdominal cramping, gassiness, and bloating are other common complaints bad-breath-bad-breath-halitosis Although IBS can produce lifelong symptoms, it is not a life-threatening condition bad-breath-bad-breath-halitosis It often worsens with stress, but there is no specific cause or anything unusual that that the doctor can see in the colon bad-breath-bad-breath-halitosis Sometimes constipation can lead to complications bad-breath-bad-breath-halitosis These complications include hemorrhoids caused by straining to have a bowel movement or anal fissures (tears in the skin around the anus) caused when hard stool stretches the sphincter muscle bad-breath-bad-breath-halitosis As a result, rectal rectal bleeding may occur, appearing as bright red streaks on the surface of the stool bad-breath-bad-breath-halitosis Treatment for hemorrhoids may include warm tub baths, ice packs, and application of a special cream to the affected area bad-breath-bad-breath-halitosis Treatment for anal fissure may include stretching the sphincter muscle or surgical removal of of tissue or skin in the affected area bad-breath-bad-breath-halitosis Sometimes straining causes a small amount of intestinal lining to push out from the anal opening bad-breath-bad-breath-halitosis This condition, known as rectal prolapse, may lead to secretion of mucus from the anus bad-breath-bad-breath-halitosis Usually eliminating the cause of the prolapse, such as as straining or coughing, is the only treatment necessary bad-breath-bad-breath-halitosis Severe or chronic prolapse requires surgery to strengthen and tighten the anal sphincter muscle or to repair the prolapsed lining bad-breath-bad-breath-halitosis Specific Diseases specific diseases such as stroke (by far the most common) spinal cord injuries Stimulants cause rhythmic muscle contractions contractions in the intestines bad-breath-bad-breath-halitosis Brand names include Correctol, Dulcolax, Purge, and Senokot bad-breath-bad-breath-halitosis Studies suggest that phenolphthalein, an ingredient in some stimulant laxatives, might increase a person's risk for cancer bad-breath-bad-breath-halitosis The Food and Drug Administration has proposed a ban on all over-the-counter products containing phenolphthalein bad-breath-bad-breath-halitosis Most laxative makers | 