Here's what to skip and what to try. Basically, there are two types of fiber: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber (oats, barley, bananas, the non-peel part of apples) helps stool retain moisture so ...

Increasing fiber intake and drinking plenty of fluids can relieve and prevent constipation. Foods such as prunes and fruits are excellent sources of fiber and other nutrients known to assist in ...

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: What are the long-term side effects of taking a stool softener daily? It's the only thing that keeps me regular, and when I've tried taking it every other day, it's not effective. At ...

Constipation is definitely not a glamorous topic. In reality, it affects nearly 30 million Americans and costs more than $1 billion annually to evaluate and treat. While not often life threatening, ...