CONSTIPATION

Constipation refers to bowel movements  that are  too hard or too small, difficult to pass with need to strain, or infrequent. Infrequent may be defined as fewer than three spontaneous bowel movements per week.
CAUSES 
Low fiber diet
Medications that can cause constipation
Thyroid disease
Irritable bowel syndrome
Diabetes
Multiple sclerosis
Parkinson's disease
Spinal cord injuries
Colon cancer

DIAGNOSIS 
Clinical symptoms usually lead to a diagnosis of constipation.
Blood tests can detect hypothyroidism, anemia, hypercalcemia  which need further evaluation and treatment.
Colonoscopy is indicated in those with a recent change in bowel habits, blood in the stool, weight loss, or a family history of colon cancer.
 
TREATMENT 
The bowels are most active following meals, and this is often the time when stools will pass most readily
Eating a diet high in fiber is important. The recommended amount of dietary fiber is 20 to 35 grams of fiber per day. For those who do not like high-fiber foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, psyllium powder mixed in an 8-ounce glass of water or another beverage one to three times daily may be considered. Numerous laxatives with
Various  mechanisms of action, safety, and experience are available .

For more information please see
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/healthtopics.html      
www.cdc.gov/       
www.niddk.nih.gov    
www.gastro.org

www.ibsgroup.org