Constipation :
Constipation is a condition where individual has hard feaces that are difficult to expel, in most cases it is due to increased absorption of water from the food in the colon.The slower the food moves in the digestive tract the more water the colon will absorb from it which results the feaces to become hard and dry. This results to the painful bowel. Causes are diet which is not adequate in fibre, inadequate hydration, not being physically active, cancers, depression, underlying disease like irritable bowel syndrome, hypothyroidism etc. Signs and symptoms of constipation are difficulty in passing stool, loss of appetite, nausea. Diagnosis is made by physical examination, rectal examination, blood tests like thyroid and calcium, X-ray abdomen, barium enema. Treatment includes life style changes, medications like laxatives and surgery if required.