At one time or another, almost everyone gets constipated candida-candida-royale Poor diet and lack of exercise are usually the causes candida-candida-royale In most cases, constipation is temporary and not serious candida-candida-royale Understanding its causes, prevention, and treatment will help most people find relief candida-candida-royale barium enema x ray Barium enema x x ray.This exam involves viewing the rectum, colon, and lower part of the small intestine to locate any problems candida-candida-royale This part of the digestive tract is known as the bowel candida-candida-royale This test may show intestinal obstruction and Hirschsprung's disease, a lack of nerves within the colon candida-candida-royale Because of of an increased risk of colorectal cancer in older adults, the doctor may use tests to rule out a diagnosis of cancer, including Because the colon does not show up well on x rays, the doctor fills it with barium, a chalky liquid that makes the area visible candida-candida-royale Once the the mixture coats the inside of colon and rectum, x rays are taken that reveal their shape and condition candida-candida-royale The patient may feel some abdominal cramping when the barium fills the colon, but usually feels little discomfort after the procedure candida-candida-royale Stools may be a whitish color for a few few days after the exam candida-candida-royale blood pressure medications (calcium channel blockers) Bulk-forming laxatives generally are considered the safest but can interfere with absorption of some medicines candida-candida-royale These laxatives, also known as fiber supplements, are taken with water candida-candida-royale They absorb water in the intestine and make the stool softer candida-candida-royale softer candida-candida-royale Brand names include Metamucil, Citrucel, Konsyl, and Serutan candida-candida-royale Can constipation be serious? Changes in Life or Routine changes in life or routine such as pregnancy, older age, and travel chronic idiopathic intestinal pseudo-obstruction Colonic inertia and delayed transit are two types of functional constipation caused by decreased muscle muscle activity in the colon candida-candida-royale These syndromes may affect the entire colon or may be confined to the lower or sigmoid colon candida-candida-royale colorectal transit study Colorectal transit study candida-candida-royale This test, reserved for those with chronic constipation, shows how well food moves through the colon candida-candida-royale The patient swallows swallows capsules containing small markers that are visible on an x ray candida-candida-royale The movement of the markers through the colon is monitored with abdominal x rays taken several times 3 to 7 days after the capsule is swallowed candida-candida-royale The patient follows a high-fiber diet during the course of this this test candida-candida-royale Constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal complaints in the United States, resulting in about 2 million doctor visits annually candida-candida-royale However, most people treat themselves without seeking medical help, as is evident from the millions of dollars Americans spend on laxatives each year candida-candida-royale Constipation is is passage of small amounts of hard, dry bowel movements, usually fewer than three times a week candida-candida-royale People who are constipated may find it difficult and painful to have a bowel movement candida-candida-royale Other symptoms of constipation include feeling bloated, uncomfortable, and sluggish candida-candida-royale Constipation may also cause hard stool stool to pack the intestine and rectum so tightly that the normal pushing action of the colon is not enough to expel the stool candida-candida-royale This condition, called fecal impaction, occurs most often in children and older adults candida-candida-royale An impaction can be softened with mineral oil taken by mouth and and by an enema candida-candida-royale After softening the impaction, the doctor may break up and remove part of the hardened stool by inserting one or two fingers into the anus candida-candida-royale Defecography is an x ray of the anorectal area that evaluates completeness of stool elimination, identifies anorectal abnormalities, and evaluates evaluates rectal muscle contractions and relaxation candida-candida-royale During the exam, the doctor fills the rectum with a soft paste that is the same consistency as stool candida-candida-royale The patient sits on a toilet positioned inside an x ray machine and then relaxes and squeezes the anus to expel the paste candida-candida-royale The doctor studies the x rays for anorectal problems that occurred as the paste was expelled candida-candida-royale diabetes Diet Diseases that cause constipation include neurological disorders, metabolic and endocrine disorders, and systemic conditions that affect organ systems candida-candida-royale These disorders can slow the movement of stool through the colon, rectum, | 