What exactly is constipation?

It depends: Constipation is the inability to have a bowel movement. Some patients only have a bowel movement once every 3 days, but they are not constipated. However 95 percent of patient should have a bowel move within days. Patients who only go to the bathroom 2 times or less per week are constipated. If the is a new symptom, you should see a gastroenterologist.

Hard stools: Excessiveley hard stools or dessicated stools. Fecal material with less water content.