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Constipation means that a person has three bowel movements or fewer in a week. The stool is hard and dry. Sometimes it is painful to pass. You may feel "draggy" and full. Some people think they should have a bowel movement every day. That is not really true. There is no "right" number of bowel movements. Each person's body finds its own normal number of bowel movements. It depends on the food

Changing what you eat and drink and how much you exercise will help relieve and prevent constipation. Here are some steps you can take. 1. Eat more fiber. Fiber helps form soft, bulky stool. It is found in many vegetables, fruits, and grains. Be sure to add fiber a little at a time, so your body gets used to it slowly. Limit foods that have little or no fiber such as ice cream, cheese,

Constipation affects almost everyone at one time or another. Many people think they're constipated when really they aren't. In most cases, following these simple tips will help prevent constipation: Eat a variety of foods, especially beans, bran, whole grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables. Drink plenty of

American Gastroenterological Association National Office 4930 Del Ray Avenue Bethesda, MD 20814 Phone: (301) 654-2055 Fax: (301) 652-3890 Email: webinfo@gastro.org Internet: www.gastro.org International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders Inc.