Constipation is often thought of as a decrease in frequency of stools and many people believe they are constipated if they do not have a bowel movement each day. This is not correct as many persons have as few as 3 bowel movements each week and are healthy.
When to see a GI Doctor
For many people, constipation means too much straining with bowel movements, passage of small hard stools or a sense that they have not completely emptied their bowels. Any recent change in bowel habits, if persistent, may be cause for concern.
