Diarrhea

There are three types of diarrhea: osmotic, secretory, or exudative.

1. Osmotic refers to a condition where something in the bowels draws water from the body to it—too much water in the bowels can cause watery bowel movements known as diarrhea.
2. Secretory means the body is releasing water into the bowel when it's not supposed to.
3. Exudative diarrhea refers to blood and pus in the stool.

Diarrhea may be acute or chronic. Acute diarrhea refers to diarrhea that occurs after eating something that disagrees with your body (and which your body attempts to purge quickly), medication side effects, or other temporary conditions. Chronic diarrhea refers to long-term or constant diarrhea (diarrhea that continues for more than a month). See your doctor if you have experience diarrhea for more than three days in a row.

Constipation

According to the 1996 National Health Interview Survey, about 3 million people in the United States have frequent constipation.  Some of the reasons people get constipated include:

• Not enough fiber in the diet
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Not exercising enough
• Not drinking enough water
• Genetic tendency
• Being afraid to go to the bathroom
• Pregnancy

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