ask a doctor

Ask a Doctor is a series of physician-authored columns offering insights and advice on common health topics. It is not a substitute for seeking medical care.

When meeting a patient for the first time, I make it a habit to ask about their bowel movements. While the odd person gets a bit squeamish at the somewhat graphic similes I use to get the best idea of their stool consistency (“humus or toothpaste?”), most welcome any advice I have to offer on this somewhat sensitive topic. When everything is running smoothly, we may not give much thought to our bowel health. But much like the flow of traffic, when things get sluggish, we take notice.

A common complaint in older adults

There are a few definitions floating around, but in general someone is suffering from constipation if

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