The Real Poop on Abnormal Bowel Movements

Bowel movements are often defined or described as:frequent or infrequent, loose or hard bowel movements, normal or abnormal, regular bowel movement or irregular bowel movement, and other terms, but the real poop is, we are all different.

People may disagree over what is meant by all of these terms. What is normal and comfortable regular bowel movement for me, is most likely not for you.  Many people shall become concerned and think they are constipated if they do not have several or at least one bowel movement every day. There are others that have never had daily bowel movements so it is not normal for them. Defecating less frequent does not necessarily indicate a problem for someone that less frequent is normal. Now if your bowels have always moved daily or several times daily and the frequency has decreased noticeably, this may indicate a problem, and you need to see your doctor

For many older people, constipation or irregular bowel movements means straining with bowel movements; passage of small, hard stools; or a sense that they have not emptied their rectum completely.

Constipation usually refers to infrequent or hard stools, or just difficulty passing stools. Constipation may involve pain during the passage of a bowel movement. The inability to have a bowel movement after straining or pushing for more than 10 minutes, is an indication of constipation. If there is no bowel movement after more than 3 days it is considered as constipation.

Donna

Disclosure: Information provided here is not for diagnosis purposes. This is written from personal experience or research. If you have a problem you should see a Doctor. I am not a doctor or medical professional.