University Hospital School University Hospital School Developing abilities for more than 50 years. When a person has hard or very infrequent bowel movements, the condition is called constipation . Constipation is a common problem for children and adults with disabilities. A variety of factors, including feeding problems and some medicines, can cause constipation.
Constipation can cause stomach pain, decreased hunger, and fussiness.
Bowel movements can become painful. Pushing to pass a hard stool can cause hemorrhoids and bleeding around the rectum. Pushing can also force bowel tissue out through the rectum. If constipation becomes serious, the stool may become stuck. This blockage may require surgical treatment.