Question 1

About a week before my period i always find it hard to have a bowel movement. it gets "normal" again on the first day. is that normal?

Accepted Answer

Hormones can have effects on bowel movements. You should take extra fiber and water the week before.

Question 2

What does it mean to have a redundant colon? and can that make it harder to have a bowel movement? or more easily constipated

Accepted Answer

A "redundant colon" means the dr found it to be longer than usual with more twists and turns.  Typically we think that the redundancy is because of problems with constipation rather than the cause of constipation.  You should be on a high fiber diet with MiraLAX (polyethylene glycol) or similar agent to keep the stools soft and moving through your colon easily.

Question 3

Hard to have a bowel movement  severe abdominal pain burning in chest stomach and backlosing weight   what could this be ?

Accepted Answer

Difficulty having a bm could be anything from constipation to cancer. The associated symptoms of pain and weight loss shouldnt be taken lightly.  I suggest you have a colonoscopy asap. Burning in the chest also warrants a complete work up including endoscopy and cardiac stress test.

Question 4

When i eat, its hard for me to have a bowel movement until the next morning. what should i do?

Accepted Answer

It's normal to have bowel movement once per day in the morning. If it's hard for you to do that, eating more fruits and vegetables, consume more fibers and most importantly, drink lots of water will help.  There are also over the counter laxatives our stool softeners that you can take to help.  Good luck.

Question 5

What is the cause of a sharp pain on left side of groin followed by a hard bowel movement?

Accepted Answer

Sounds like colonic spasms secondary to constipation.  I would recommend a stool softener and increase your daily intake of water.

Question 6

Don't remember hard bowel movement..doc found 2 paper cuts in anal area..y didn't she test for herpes?

Accepted Answer

You're describing anal fissures--please see the many excellent HealthTap answers on the subject.  If your risk for anal herpes is substantial, please alert your provider.

Question 7

Why would someone have blood in stool? i don't have insurance and can't afford a doctor. if i had a hard bowel movement right before, and it stops after, i should be ok, right?

Accepted Answer

Sounds like a possible hemorrhoid or fissure.  Besides these, u can have blood from infection or inflammation or cancer.  It would still be good idea to get checked out.

Question 8

Ok, i do not have insurance. i can not afford a doctor. if i have blood following a hard bowel movement, should i take anything, or not?  a dr. visit is not an option.

Accepted Answer

You shouldn't have a hard stool if your gut works normally. Add a potent probiotic and a blended soluble/insoluble fiber like pure encapsulations purelean fiber and lots of water to keep stools of normal consistency. An occasional issue like this sounds like an undiagnosed food allergy to me - if my wife gets into gluten she's constipated for 2-3 days then resolves slowly. Might want to do a food.

Question 9

Very distended belly, area around belly button is hard  and lumpy and i've been having irregular bowel movements (not constipation). any insight?

Accepted Answer

Possibly irritable bowel syndrome with constipation predominant symptoms. Please work with your physician to optimize bowel movements and rule out other possibilities. Use MiraLAX (polyethylene glycol) once or twice until your regularize with your bowel movements.

Question 10

Can constipation cause mucus in your stool? have hard to pass stools the last few days (looks like type 1 on bristol stool chart), feeling of incomplete bowel movements, and noticed a small amount of mucus as well?

Accepted Answer

Constipation can cause mucus in stool. You may take a fiber laxative like Metamucil and drink enough water daily so that your urine is colorless. For the long term you may try to increase your intake of fiber foods. Consult this site for fiber foods.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/high-fiber-foods/art-20050948
Wish you good health!

Hard to have a bowel movement

About a week before my period i always find it hard to have a bowel movement. it gets "normal" again on the first day. is that normal?

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What does it mean to have a redundant colon? and can that make it harder to have a bowel movement? or more easily constipated