Constipation and diarrhea Overview
Constipation is when bowel movements are not frequent enough (less than three per week) or hard to pass. Diarrhea, on the other hand, is when the stools are loose and watery. It is not uncommon to have a short episode of constipation or diarrhea, but these conditions are more serious when they are chronic.
Signs and symptoms of chronic constipation include:
- Passing fewer than three stools a week.
- Having lumpy or hard stools.
- Straining to have bowel movements.
- Feeling as though there’s a blockage in your rectum that prevents bowel movements.
- Feeling as though you can’t completely empty the stool from your rectum.
Signs and symptoms associated with diarrhea (loose, watery stools) may include:
- Abdominal cramps or pain.
- Bloating
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Blood in the stool.
- Mucus in the stool.
- Urgent need to have a bowel movement.