Chronic constipation often persists despite laxative use because the root cause can be dyssynergic defecation, a muscle ...

Dear Doctors: I’m a 77-year-old man and was having trouble with hard stools. My doctor suggested a stool softener. It worked for about a week, but then I developed diarrhea. Over-the-counter diarrhea ...

Blood in stool isn’t always piles. A doctor explains hidden gut problems in young adults, warning signs to watch, and when to ...

Medically reviewed by Kumkum S. Patel, MD Key Takeaways Eating more fiber and drinking more fluids can help treat or prevent hard stools.Hard stools occur when your colon absorbs too much water from ...

Constipation and blood in the stool can occur at the same time, due to many different reasons. For most people, blood in stool may occur due to issues with bowel movements, tears to the anus, or ...

Possible causes of blood in stool include gastroenteritis, anal fissures, hemorrhoids, inflammatory bowel disease, and more. Treatment can depend on the underlying cause. Below, learn more about the ...