Giant migrating contractions (GMCs) are powerful waves of colonic movement that propel intestinal contents toward the anus and are essential for defecation. Yet despite their physiological importance, ...

Defecation urgency in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a common and devastating symptom, involves sensory as well as emotional components, suggesting that the brain plays as much of a role in urgency ...

Qin Rao, MD, is a board-certified physician based in New York City. He currently works as a gastroenterologist and hepatologist at Manhattan Gastroenterology. Diarrhea and constipation are common ...

Healthy bowel habits are an important sign that your body is functioning as it should. This includes daily bowel movements that are soft, formed and not painful to pass. Your poop is affected by a ...

Larissa Banitt is a registered nurse who combines her English and Nursing degrees in writing health content. She has worked on the floor on a medical-surgical unit and currently works providing care ...

Drink at least 64 ounces of water daily to help move waste through your intestines. Exercise regularly to stimulate your intestines to move waste along. Talk with a healthcare provider about adding ...

Many people experience itching in the anus area i.e. in the rectum. Some people experience it more frequently while some ...

Blood in your stool may be due to a number of factors, such as straining to poop, anal fissures, and hemorrhoids. Treatment depends on the specific cause of your constipation and bleeding. Many people ...