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