Lack of exercise can lead to constipation, although doctors do not know precisely why irritable-bowel-syndrome-irritable-bowel-disease For example, constipation often occurs after an accident or during an illness when one must stay in bed and cannot exercise irritable-bowel-syndrome-irritable-bowel-disease Laxatives Laxatives usually are not necessary and can be habit-forming irritable-bowel-syndrome-irritable-bowel-disease The colon begins begins to rely on laxatives to bring on bowel movements irritable-bowel-syndrome-irritable-bowel-disease Over time, laxatives can damage nerve cells in the colon and interfere with the colon's natural ability to contract irritable-bowel-syndrome-irritable-bowel-disease For the same reason, regular use of enemas can also lead to a loss of normal bowel function irritable-bowel-syndrome-irritable-bowel-disease Lifestyle Lifestyle Changes Liquids like water and juice add fluid to the colon and bulk to stools, making bowel movements softer and easier to pass irritable-bowel-syndrome-irritable-bowel-disease People who have problems with constipation should drink enough of these liquids every day, about eight 8-ounce glasses irritable-bowel-syndrome-irritable-bowel-disease Liquids that contain caffeine, like coffee and and cola drinks, and alcohol have a dehydrating effect irritable-bowel-syndrome-irritable-bowel-disease Lubricants grease the stool enabling it to move through the intestine more easily irritable-bowel-syndrome-irritable-bowel-disease Mineral oil is the most common example irritable-bowel-syndrome-irritable-bowel-disease lumpy or hard stool lupus Many people think they are constipated when, in fact, their bowel movements are regular irritable-bowel-syndrome-irritable-bowel-disease regular irritable-bowel-syndrome-irritable-bowel-disease For example, some people believe they are constipated, or irregular, if they do not have a bowel movement every day irritable-bowel-syndrome-irritable-bowel-disease However, there is no right number of daily or weekly bowel movements irritable-bowel-syndrome-irritable-bowel-disease Normal may be three times a day or three times a week depending on the the person irritable-bowel-syndrome-irritable-bowel-disease Also, some people naturally have firmer stools than others irritable-bowel-syndrome-irritable-bowel-disease Medical History Medications medications Metabolic and endocrine conditions Most people who are mildly constipated do not need laxatives irritable-bowel-syndrome-irritable-bowel-disease However, for those who have made diet and lifestyle changes and are still constipated, doctors may recommend laxatives or or enemas for a limited time irritable-bowel-syndrome-irritable-bowel-disease These treatments can help retrain a chronically sluggish bowel irritable-bowel-syndrome-irritable-bowel-disease For children, short-term treatment with laxatives, along with retraining to establish regular bowel habits, also helps prevent constipation irritable-bowel-syndrome-irritable-bowel-disease Most people with constipation do not need extensive testing and can be treated with changes changes in diet and exercise irritable-bowel-syndrome-irritable-bowel-disease For example, in young people with mild symptoms, a medical history and physical examination may be all the doctor needs to suggest successful treatment irritable-bowel-syndrome-irritable-bowel-disease The tests the doctor performs depend on the duration and severity of the constipation, the person's age, and whether blood blood in stools, recent changes in bowel movements, or weight loss have occurred irritable-bowel-syndrome-irritable-bowel-disease multiple sclerosis Myths about constipation have led to a serious abuse of laxatives irritable-bowel-syndrome-irritable-bowel-disease This is common among people who are preoccupied with having a daily bowel movement irritable-bowel-syndrome-irritable-bowel-disease Neurological disorders Not Enough Fiber in the | 