Dear Doctors: I’m a 77-year-old man and was having trouble with hard stools. My doctor suggested a stool softener. It worked for about a week, but then I developed diarrhea. Over-the-counter diarrhea ...

Medically reviewed by Jay N. Yepuri, MD Key Takeaways Pale or light-colored stools can be a sign of a liver or gallbladder ...

Water is often dubbed the elixir of life, and for a good reason. It is a crucial component of our bodies, making up about 60 percent of our total body weight. Every cell, tissue and organ in our body ...

Blood in stool isn’t always piles. A doctor explains hidden gut problems in young adults, warning signs to watch, and when to ...

Medically reviewed by Robert Burakoff, MD Key Takeaways Mucus in stool can be a sign of a health issue like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).  Ulcerative colitis can cause mucus in the stool due to ...

The gallbladder is an important part of digestion. If you’re experiencing issues, they may affect your bowel movements and cause symptoms like constipation. Your gallbladder is an important organ that ...

How often should we poo? If you Google this question, you’re likely to find an answer along the lines of three times a day to once every three days. But this leaves room for substantial variation. The ...

Without treatment, long-standing constipation can lead to bowel problems such as anal fissures. Some can lead to serious problems, such as fecal impaction, which could lead to hospitalization, surgery ...

"Medical Journeys" is a set of clinical resources reviewed by doctors, meant for physicians and other healthcare professionals as well as the patients they serve. Each episode of this journey through ...

Constant bathroom trips might not be your bladder's fault. Urologists suggest a full rectum can irritate the bladder, leading to frequent urges. Addressing this involves dietary changes with moist ...

Dear Doctors: I’m a 77-year-old man and was having trouble with hard stools. My doctor suggested a stool softener. It worked for about a week, but then I developed diarrhea. Over-the-counter diarrhea ...