A diet with enough fiber (20 to 35 grams each day) helps form soft, bulky stool bloating-bloating-constipation A doctor or dietitian can help plan an appropriate diet bloating-bloating-constipation High-fiber foods include beans, whole grains and bran cereals, fresh fruits, and vegetables such as asparagus, brussels sprouts, cabbage, and carrots bloating-bloating-constipation For For people prone to constipation, limiting foods that have little or no fiber, such as ice cream, cheese, meat, and processed foods, is also important bloating-bloating-constipation A doctor should determine when a patient needs a laxative and which form is best bloating-bloating-constipation Laxatives taken by mouth are available in liquid, tablet, tablet, gum, powder, and granule forms bloating-bloating-constipation They work in various ways: A low-fiber diet also plays a key role in constipation among older adults, who may lose interest in eating and choose convenience foods low in fiber bloating-bloating-constipation In addition, difficulties with chewing or swallowing may force older people to to eat soft foods that are processed and low in fiber bloating-bloating-constipation A physical exam may include a rectal exam with a gloved, lubricated finger to evaluate the tone of the muscle that closes off the anus (anal sphincter) and to detect tenderness, obstruction, or blood bloating-bloating-constipation In some cases, blood blood and thyroid tests may be necessary to look for thyroid disease and serum calcium or to rule out inflammatory, neoplastic, metabolic, and other systemic disorders bloating-bloating-constipation Abuse of Laxatives abuse of laxatives According to the 1996 National Health Interview Survey, about 3 million people in the United States have frequent frequent constipation bloating-bloating-constipation Those reporting constipation most often are women and adults age 65 and over bloating-bloating-constipation Pregnant women may have constipation, and it is a common problem following childbirth or surgery bloating-bloating-constipation According to the National Center for Health Statistics, Americans eat an average of 5 to 14 grams of of fiber daily,* short of the 20 to 35 grams recommended by the American Dietetic Association bloating-bloating-constipation Both children and adults eat too many refined and processed foods from which the natural fiber has been removed bloating-bloating-constipation Although treatment depends on the cause, severity, and duration, in most cases dietary and and lifestyle changes will help relieve symptoms of constipation and help prevent it bloating-bloating-constipation amyloidosis anorectal function tests Anorectal function tests bloating-bloating-constipation These tests diagnose constipation caused by abnormal functioning of the anus or rectum (anorectal function) bloating-bloating-constipation Anorectal manometry evaluates anal sphincter muscle function bloating-bloating-constipation For this test, a | 