Dear Doctors: Iโ€™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.

Understanding the Context

Over-the-counter diarrhea ... Hard stools may be a sign of constipation. Hard bowel movements could be due to dehydration or medication. But they may also be a sign of an underlying medical condition.

Key Insights

Hard stool happens when your colon absorbs too much water from your stool. This commonly occurs with constipation, defined as having fewer than three bowel movements per week. Common causes include ... Yes, having constipation can cause gas build-up and flatulence. Constipation is a common digestive issue characterized by infrequent bowel movements or difficulty passing stools.

Final Thoughts

Medically speaking, ... Hard stool, which is often difficult or painful to pass, is a common symptom of constipation. Learn more about the causes and treatment of hard stool here. Hard poop can be caused by constipation or health conditions like irritable bowel syndrome. Find out how to treat constipation and prevent hard stool. If your stool is hard and painful to pass, you can soften it by drinking water and eating foods that are high in fiber.

Dehydration can cause hard stool, so aim to drink about 8 glasses of water every day. Constipation generally means passing fewer than three stools a week or having a difficult time passing stool. Constipation is fairly common. A lack of dietary fiber, fluids and exercise can cause constipation.