At one time or another, almost everyone gets constipated constipation-iritable-bowel-syndrome Poor diet and lack of exercise are usually the causes constipation-iritable-bowel-syndrome In most cases, constipation is temporary and not serious constipation-iritable-bowel-syndrome Understanding its causes, prevention, and treatment will help most people find relief constipation-iritable-bowel-syndrome 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 constipation-iritable-bowel-syndrome This part of the digestive tract is known as the bowel constipation-iritable-bowel-syndrome This test may show intestinal obstruction and Hirschsprung's disease, a lack of nerves within the colon constipation-iritable-bowel-syndrome 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 constipation-iritable-bowel-syndrome Once the the mixture coats the inside of colon and rectum, x rays are taken that reveal their shape and condition constipation-iritable-bowel-syndrome The patient may feel some abdominal cramping when the barium fills the colon, but usually feels little discomfort after the procedure constipation-iritable-bowel-syndrome Stools may be a whitish color for a few few days after the exam constipation-iritable-bowel-syndrome blood pressure medications (calcium channel blockers) Bulk-forming laxatives generally are considered the safest but can interfere with absorption of some medicines constipation-iritable-bowel-syndrome These laxatives, also known as fiber supplements, are taken with water constipation-iritable-bowel-syndrome They absorb water in the intestine and make the stool softer constipation-iritable-bowel-syndrome softer constipation-iritable-bowel-syndrome Brand names include Metamucil, Citrucel, Konsyl, and Serutan constipation-iritable-bowel-syndrome 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 constipation-iritable-bowel-syndrome These syndromes may affect the entire colon or may be confined to the lower or sigmoid colon constipation-iritable-bowel-syndrome colorectal transit study Colorectal transit study constipation-iritable-bowel-syndrome This test, reserved for those with chronic constipation, shows how well food moves through the colon constipation-iritable-bowel-syndrome The patient swallows swallows capsules containing small markers that are visible on an x ray constipation-iritable-bowel-syndrome 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 constipation-iritable-bowel-syndrome The patient follows a high-fiber diet during the course of this this test constipation-iritable-bowel-syndrome Constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal complaints in the United States, resulting in about 2 million doctor visits annually constipation-iritable-bowel-syndrome However, most people treat themselves without seeking medical help, as is evident from the millions of dollars Americans spend on laxatives each year constipation-iritable-bowel-syndrome Constipation is is passage of small amounts of hard, dry bowel movements, usually fewer than three times a week constipation-iritable-bowel-syndrome People who are constipated may find it difficult and painful to have a bowel movement constipation-iritable-bowel-syndrome Other symptoms of constipation include feeling bloated, uncomfortable, and sluggish constipation-iritable-bowel-syndrome 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 constipation-iritable-bowel-syndrome This condition, called fecal impaction, occurs most often in children and older adults constipation-iritable-bowel-syndrome An impaction can be softened with mineral oil taken by mouth and and by an enema constipation-iritable-bowel-syndrome 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 constipation-iritable-bowel-syndrome 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 constipation-iritable-bowel-syndrome During the exam, the doctor fills the rectum with a soft paste that is the same consistency as stool constipation-iritable-bowel-syndrome The patient sits on a toilet positioned inside an x ray machine and then relaxes and squeezes the anus to expel the paste constipation-iritable-bowel-syndrome The doctor studies the x rays for anorectal problems that occurred as the paste was expelled constipation-iritable-bowel-syndrome diabetes Diet Diseases that cause constipation include neurological disorders, metabolic and endocrine disorders, and systemic conditions that affect organ systems constipation-iritable-bowel-syndrome These disorders can slow the movement of stool through the colon, rectum, | 