Stool can become impacted, or stuck, in your colon, blocking waste from leaving the body. This often causes pain and bloating. Treatment can include laxatives or procedures to remove the stool. When ...

Digestive health rarely dominates health headlines, yet irregular bowel movements pose serious risks that millions of Americans face daily. Medical professionals increasingly recognize that consistent ...

Medically reviewed by Robert Burakoff, MD Key Takeaways Constipation and diarrhea can cause rectal pressure that may be relieved with OTC medicines or dietary changes.  Adding fiber to your diet can ...

U of U Health Colon and Rectal Surgery Services has advanced fellowship training and experience in colon and rectal surgery, as well as gastrointestinal surgery. Our colon and rectal surgeons are ...

Rectal pain can be caused by common conditions like hemorrhoids, anal fissures, and inflammation from IBD. Most rectal pain can be managed at home with sitz baths, a fiber-rich diet, and ...

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 ...

Lindsay Curtis is a health & medical writer in South Florida. She worked as a communications professional for health nonprofits and the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of ...

Fecal transplants use feces from a donor to help adjust the balance of organisms in your gut. Research is mixed on whether they can help treat IBS, but research is ongoing. Irritable bowel syndrome ...

A fecal fat test measures the amount of fat in a person’s stool. The test assesses the digestive function and absorption of fat in the gastrointestinal tract. Several medical conditions cause poor fat ...