Constipation: Digestive Disorders
Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School
Constipation
Constipation is the slow movement of feces through the large intestine, resulting in the difficult passage of dry, hard stool. It's one of the most common gastrointestinal complaints in the United States, responsible for more than 2.5 million visits to doctors each year. The National Institutes of Health says that about 4.5 million Americans suffer from it on an ongoing basis. Constipation is more common in women than men, and more common among older people.
| Last updated: | August 21, 2007 |
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Medical content reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School. Harvard Health Publications, Copyright © 2007 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell.
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