Constipation is a condition of the digestive system where a person (or other animal) experiences hard feces that is difficult to eliminate; it may be extremely painful, and in extreme cases (fecal impaction) lead to symptoms of bowel obstruction. Causes may be dietary, hormonal and anatomical. Treatment is with a change in dietary habits, laxatives, fiber therapy, enemas, and rarely surgery. Constipation - Signs and symptoms. In common constipation, the stool is hard and difficult to void. Straining ...

Including:

• Constipation - Signs and symptoms
• Constipation - Diagnosis
• Constipation - Causes
• Constipation - Treatment
• Constipation - In art

Read more here: » Constipation: Encyclopedia - Constipation

See also:

Constipation, Constipation - Signs and symptoms, Constipation - Diagnosis, Constipation - Causes, Constipation - Treatment, Constipation - In art

Read more here: » Constipation: Encyclopedia II - Constipation - Signs and symptoms

The diagnosis is essentially made by the patient's description of the symptoms. Enquiring about dietary habits may reveal a low intake of dietary fiber or inadequate amounts of fluids. Constipation as a result of immobility or side effect of other medications should be considered in the elderly. Rarely other symptoms suggestive of hypothyroidism may be elicited. During physical examination, scybala (manually palpable lumps of stool) may be detected. Rectal examination gives an impression of the anal sphincter tone and whether t ...

See also:

Constipation, Constipation - Signs and symptoms, Constipation - Diagnosis, Constipation - Causes, Constipation - Treatment, Constipation - In art

Read more here: » Constipation: Encyclopedia II - Constipation - Diagnosis

Ayurveda is perhaps the oldest science of life and a system of diet, healing and health maintenance that is deeply spiritual in origin. In this article the healing properties of water will be presented.

Read more here: » Ayurveda � healing waters

In people without medical problems, the main intervention is the increase of fluids (preferably water) and dietary fiber. The latter may be achieved by consuming more vegetables and fruit, whole meal bread and by adding linseeds to one's diet. The routine non-medical use of laxatives is to be discouraged as this may result in bowel action becoming dependant upon their use. Laxatives may be necessary in people in whom dietary intervention is not effective or inappropriate. Stimulant laxatives (eg senna) are generally avoided, as they m ...

See also:

Constipation, Constipation - Signs and symptoms, Constipation - Diagnosis, Constipation - Causes, Constipation - Treatment, Constipation - In art

Read more here: » Constipation: Encyclopedia II - Constipation - Treatment

Diarrhea (American English) or diarrhoea (Commonwealth English) is a condition in which the sufferer has frequent and watery, chunky, or loose bowel movements (from the ancient Greek word διαρροή = leakage; lit. "to run through"). In the Third World, diarrhea is the most common cause of death among infants, killing more than 1.5 million per year. Diarrhea - Causes. This condition can be a symptom of injury, disease or foodborne illness and is usually accompanied by abdominal pain ...

Including:

• Diarrhea - Causes
• Diarrhea - Mechanism
• Diarrhea - Acute diarrhea
• Diarrhea - Chronic diarrhea
• Diarrhea - Infective diarrhea
• Diarrhea - Malabsorption
• Diarrhea - Inflammatory bowel disease
• Diarrhea - Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Diarrhea - Other important causes
• Diarrhea - Treatment of diarrhea

Read more here: » Diarrhea: Encyclopedia - Diarrhea

An anal fissure is an unnatural crack or tear in the anus, usually extending from the anal opening and the midline of the anus. Anal fissure - Causes. Most anal fissures are caused by stretching of the anal mucosa beyond its capability. Various causes of this fissure include: Straining to defecate, especially if the stool is hard and dry Severe and chronic constipation Severe and chronic diarrhea Crohn's disease and Ulcerative colitis Rough anal sex ...

Including:

• Anal fissure - Causes
• Anal fissure - Symptoms
• Anal fissure - Prevention
• Anal fissure - Treatment

Read more here: » Anal fissure: Encyclopedia - Anal fissure

Gastroenterology or gastrology is the medical specialty concerned with the field of digestive diseases. Traditionally, these are traditionally separated by anatomic or functional category. For example, disorders of the esophagus might be listed under "esophagus" and also included in a description of motility disorders (disorders of motor function). List of signs and symptoms of gastroenterological diseases : constipation diarrhea vomiting nausea abdominal pain List of research fields in Gastroenterology : ...

Including:

• Gastroenterology - Important figures in Gastroenterology
• Gastroenterology - Gastroenterological Societies
• Gastroenterology - External link

Read more here: » Gastroenterology: Encyclopedia - Gastroenterology

Feces (American English) or fæces (Commonwealth English) are semi-solid waste products from an animal digestive tract expelled through the anus (or cloaca) during defecation. In humans, defecation may occur (depending on the individual and the circumstances) from once every two or three days to many times a day. Hardening of the feces may cause prolonged interruption in the usual routine and is called constipation. The word faeces is the plural of the Latin word faex meaning "dregs". There is no sin ...

Including:

• Feces - Related terminology
• Feces - Fecal contamination
• Feces - Human feces

Read more here: » Feces: Encyclopedia - Feces

A laxative is a preparation used for encouraging defecation, or the elimination of feces. Laxatives are most often taken to treat constipation. Certain stimulant, lubricant, and saline laxatives are used to evacuate the colon for rectal and bowel examinations. They are sometimes supplemented by enemas. Laxatives are often abused by bulimics or anorexics. Laxative abuse is a problem that is potentially very serious since it can lead to problems such as intestinal paralysis, Irritable Bowel ...

Including:

• Laxative - Bulk-producing agents
• Laxative - Stool softeners / Surfactants
• Laxative - Lubricants / Emollient
• Laxative - Hydrating agents osmotics
• Laxative - Saline
• Laxative - Hyperosmotic agents
• Laxative - Stimulant / Irritant
• Laxative - Miscellaneous
• Laxative - Castor Oil

Read more here: » Laxative: Encyclopedia - Laxative

Glucomannan - Constipation. Glucomannan is a soluble fiber, and as such, has been used in the treatment of constipation. Glucomannan may relieve constipation by decreasing fecal transit time (PMID 2547312). In the treatment of chronic constipation, glucomannan significantly improved symptoms of constipation while being well-tolerated and free of relevant side effects (PMID 1742540) ...

See also:

Glucomannan, Glucomannan - Health benefits, Glucomannan - Constipation, Glucomannan - Obesity, Glucomannan - Cholesterol and other lipids, Glucomannan - Type 2 diabetes, Glucomannan - Commercial use

Read more here: » Glucomannan: Encyclopedia II - Glucomannan - Health benefits

Methylcellulose dissolves in cold water. Higher DS-values result in lower solubility, because the polar hydroxyl groups are masked. The chemical is not soluble in hot water, which has the paradoxical effect that heating a saturated solution of methylcellulose will turn it solid, because methylcellulose will precipitate out. The temperature at which this occurs depends on DS-value, with higher DS-values giving lower precipitation temperatures. Preparing a solution of methylcellulose with cold water is difficult however: as the powder c ...

See also:

Methylcellulose, Methylcellulose - Chemistry, Methylcellulose - Solubility and temperature, Methylcellulose - Uses, Methylcellulose - Thickener and emulsifier, Methylcellulose - Treatment of constipation, Methylcellulose - Artificial tears and saliva, Methylcellulose - Paper and textile sizing glue, Methylcellulose - Glue and binder, Methylcellulose - Construction materials, Methylcellulose - Related compounds

Read more here: » Methylcellulose: Encyclopedia II - Methylcellulose - Solubility and temperature

Methylcellulose - Thickener and emulsifier. Methylcellulose is often added to hair shampoos, tooth pastes and liquid soaps, to generate their characteristic thick consistency. This is also done for foods, for example ice cream or whipped cream. Methylcellulose is also an important emulsifier, preventing the separation of two mixed liquids. The E number of methylcellulose as food additive is E461. Methylcellu ...

See also:

Methylcellulose, Methylcellulose - Chemistry, Methylcellulose - Solubility and temperature, Methylcellulose - Uses, Methylcellulose - Thickener and emulsifier, Methylcellulose - Treatment of constipation, Methylcellulose - Artificial tears and saliva, Methylcellulose - Paper and textile sizing glue, Methylcellulose - Glue and binder, Methylcellulose - Construction materials, Methylcellulose - Related compounds

Read more here: » Methylcellulose: Encyclopedia II - Methylcellulose - Uses

Chemically, methylcellulose is a methyl ether of cellulose, arising from substituting the hydrogen atoms of some of cellulose's hydroxyl groups -OH with methyl groups -CH3, forming -OCH3 groups. Different kinds of methylcellulose can be prepared depending on the number of hydroxyl groups so substituted. Cellulose is a polymer consisting of numerous linked glucose molecules, each of which exposes three hydroxyl groups. The Degree of Substitution (DS) of a given form of methylcellulose is defined as the average number of substituted hydroxyl groups per glucose. The theoretical maximum is thus a DS of 3. ...

See also:

Methylcellulose, Methylcellulose - Chemistry, Methylcellulose - Solubility and temperature, Methylcellulose - Uses, Methylcellulose - Thickener and emulsifier, Methylcellulose - Treatment of constipation, Methylcellulose - Artificial tears and saliva, Methylcellulose - Paper and textile sizing glue, Methylcellulose - Glue and binder, Methylcellulose - Construction materials, Methylcellulose - Related compounds

Read more here: » Methylcellulose: Encyclopedia II - Methylcellulose - Chemistry

Gastroenteritis is inflammation of the intestines and is the most common disease of the intestines. It can arise as the result of food poisoning. Ileus is a blockage of the intestines. Appendicitis is inflammation of the vermiform appendix located at the cecum. This is a potentially fatal disease if left untreated; most cases of appendicitis will require surgical intervention. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are examples of autoimmune diseases affecting the intestines. Crohn's can affect the ...

See also:

Intestine, Intestine - Diseases of the intestine, Intestine - Disorders of the intestine

Read more here: » Intestine: Encyclopedia II - Intestine - Diseases of the intestine

Main articles: Toilet, Latrine, Sewage. The problem of efficient feces disposal existed since the times when people started to live in permanent settlements, primarily for the reasons of cleanliness and odor. Toilets were known in ancient India (dated as early as 2,500 BCE), in Ancient Rome, Egypt and China. Over time it has become clear that the disposal of feces is an issue of hygiene, since feces contribute to spreading of diseases and intestinal parasites. It is a matter of at ...

See also:

Human feces, Human feces - Feces disposal, Human feces - Tourism, Human feces - Laboratory testing of feces

Read more here: » Human feces: Encyclopedia II - Human feces - Feces disposal

This condition can be a symptom of injury, disease, foodborne illness or extreme excess of Vitamin C and is usually accompanied by abdominal pain, and often nausea and vomiting. There are other conditions which involve some but not all of the symptoms of diarrhea, and so the formal medical definition of diarrhea involves defecation of more than 200 grams per day (though formal weighing of stools to determine a diagno ...

See also:

Diarrhea, Diarrhea - Causes, Diarrhea - Mechanism, Diarrhea - Acute diarrhea, Diarrhea - Chronic diarrhea, Diarrhea - Infective diarrhea, Diarrhea - Malabsorption, Diarrhea - Inflammatory bowel disease, Diarrhea - Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Diarrhea - Other important causes, Diarrhea - Treatment of diarrhea

Read more here: » Diarrhea: Encyclopedia II - Diarrhea - Causes

In the medical profession, feces are referred to as stools. This comes from the Anglo-Saxon word stol, which means "seat". The word stool was originally used to describe the seat one sat on to defecate. So, an euphemism was that they were "going to stool". By the end of the 16th century, the word stool was used to mean the same thing as feces. Feces will usually be required for microbiological testing, looking for an intestinal pathogen. Biochemical tests done on feces include fecal elastase and fecal ...

See also:

Human feces, Human feces - Feces disposal, Human feces - Tourism, Human feces - Laboratory testing of feces

Read more here: » Human feces: Encyclopedia II - Human feces - Laboratory testing of feces

This may be defined as diarrhea that lasts less than 2 weeks, and is also called gastroenteritis. This can nearly always be presumed to be infective, although only in a minority of cases is this formally proven. It is often reasonable to reassure a patient, ensure adequate fluid intake, and wait and see. In more severe cases, or where it is important to find the cause of the illness, stool cultures are instituted. The most common organisms found are Campylobacter (an organism of animal origin), salmonella (also often of ...

See also:

Diarrhea, Diarrhea - Causes, Diarrhea - Mechanism, Diarrhea - Acute diarrhea, Diarrhea - Chronic diarrhea, Diarrhea - Infective diarrhea, Diarrhea - Malabsorption, Diarrhea - Inflammatory bowel disease, Diarrhea - Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Diarrhea - Other important causes, Diarrhea - Treatment of diarrhea

Read more here: » Diarrhea: Encyclopedia II - Diarrhea - Acute diarrhea

Diarrhea - Infective diarrhea. It is not uncommon for diarrhea to persist. Diarrhea due to some organisms may persist for years without significant long term illness. More commonly a diarrhea will slowly ameliorate but the patient becomes a carrier (harbors the infection without illness). This is often an indication for treatment, especially in food workers or institution workers. Parasites (worms and amoeba) should always be treated. Salmonella is the most common persistent bacterial organism in humans. See also:

Diarrhea, Diarrhea - Causes, Diarrhea - Mechanism, Diarrhea - Acute diarrhea, Diarrhea - Chronic diarrhea, Diarrhea - Infective diarrhea, Diarrhea - Malabsorption, Diarrhea - Inflammatory bowel disease, Diarrhea - Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Diarrhea - Other important causes, Diarrhea - Treatment of diarrhea

Read more here: » Diarrhea: Encyclopedia II - Diarrhea - Chronic diarrhea