Constipation

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Call your Health Care Provider if

• You have sudden constipation with abdominal cramps, and an inability to pass gas or stool. (In this case, do not take any laxatives. Call your doctor immediately!)
• You have sharp or severe abdominal pain, especially if you are also bloated.
• You have blood in the stool.
• You have constipation alternating with diarrhea.
• You have very thin, pencil-like stools.
• You have rectal pain.
• You have unexplained weight loss.
• You have been using laxatives for several weeks.
• An infant younger than 2 months is constipated.
• A child is holding back bowel movements in order to resist toilet training.
• Your infant or child has not had a bowel movement in 3 days. If vomitting or irritability is also present, call IMMEDIATELY.
• Self care is not working.