1 of 10
Most of us have felt the effects of a stuffed-up digestive system, and it's uncomfortable to say the least. In fact, each year more than 2.5 million Americans visit their healthcare provider for relief from constipation.
"It's more common [and most dramatic] in patients 65 years and older," says Dr. Gauree Konijeti, Director of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Program at the Division of Gastroenterology at Scripps Clinic in San Diego.
Constipation is often defined as stool frequency less than three times per week, but people can also think about constipation in different ways. "For some people, it may be hard stools or small pebble-like stools that don't completely come out," says Dr. Konijeti. "Others may feel constipated when they are straining to get the stool out, but the consistency is fine. Some people might have bowel movements every day but say they are constipated; it might just be more related to consistency."
Regardless of how that constipated feeling manifests itself in your body, it's important to discuss concerns with your doctor or a gastroenterologist, especially if it's a new problem, lasts longer than a couple of weeks, feels severe or comes with other symptoms, like blood in the stool or fever.
Here are some ways you might get stuffed up, plus ways to get things moving again.
