Hard stool happens when your colon absorbs too much water from your stool. This commonly occurs with constipation, defined as having fewer than three bowel movements per week. Common causes include ...

Constipation is often ignored as a minor discomfort. However, when it becomes chronic, lasting more than three months, it can ...

Jay N. Yepuri, MD, MS, FACG, is a board-certified gastroenterologist and member of the Digestive Health Associates of Texas Board of Directors and Executive Committee. Long-term constipation can lead ...

Blood in your stool may be due to a number of factors, such as straining to poop, anal fissures, and hemorrhoids. Treatment depends on the specific cause of your constipation and bleeding. Many people ...

It’s normal to have an occasional bout of constipation. Uncomfortable as it may be, this usually resolves within a few days. But chronic constipation—which might require some action—is the issue if ...

Constipation can cause stools that are hard and large, which can hurt when you pass them. Stressing your anal canal from constipation can also cause anal fissures, which are small tears. Anal cancer ...

Milk of magnesia can provide quick relief from constipation by drawing water from the body into the bowels, which softens the stool. It can start working within 30 minutes to 6 hours. Milk of magnesia ...

Anal fissures are small tears in the lining of the anal canal. They can cause sharp pain and bleeding, especially during or after bowel movements. Anal fissures can be acute (short-term) or chronic ...