Article: Chronic constipation affects between 15% and 20% of Americans. Even people who eat healthily, exercise, and drink lots of water can still suffer from chronic constipation. Lifestyle issues - Constipation has been related to a number of factors related to lifestyle and diet, including inadequate water intake, inadequate fiber intake, over-consumption of dairy, and a lack of exercise, among others. Existing or new medical conditions - Some medical conditions can cause changes in the bowels and chronic constipation, including colon cancer, hypothyroidism, irritable bowel syndrome, Parkinson's disease, and diabetes. Medications - Medications that often have constipation as a side effect include pain medications, antacids like calcium and aluminum, calcium channel blockers, iron supplements, and diuretics among others. Aging - As people get older, they become more sedentary (and get less physical activity), eat less fiber and drink less water, all of which contributes to chronic constipation. In addition, many over-the-counter and prescription medications taken to treat conditions more common in older people, such as arthritis, back pain, and hypertension, can cause chronic constipation. Psychological issues - For some people, chronic constipation is related to specific psychological issues, including depression, sexual or physical abuse, or loss of a family member or friend, among other emotional triggers. Nerve and muscle function in the bowels - In some cases, lack of proper nerve and muscle function can cause constipation. In particular, in cases of pelvic floor dysfunction (dyssynergic defecation), the muscles of the lower pelvis surrounding the rectum do not function properly and can cause constipation. Some physicians believe that chronic constipation cannot solely be determined by the frequency of bowel movements, but that a host of other symptoms need to be assessed, or what has been termed a "symptom complex". These include: Hard stools. Excessive straining when having a bowel movement. A lack of feeling of relief after a bowel movement or a sense that the bowel movement was incomplete. A sensation that you are unable to have a bowel movement. A decrease in frequency of bowel movements (fewer than 3 per week over a period of several months) If the dietary and lifestyle changes discussed above do not relieve constipation, consult your primary care physician. It's important to seek medical attention if you suffer from chronic constipation or if constipation is new to you, as it can be a symptom of a more serious medical condition. Be prepared to provide your doctor with information on your constipation, including the number of times per week you pass a stool, how long you have experienced difficulty defecating, and a list of any medications you may be taking. Be sure as well to tell your doctor of any treatments you have undertaken, including laxatives and lifestyle or dietary changes. Your doctor will perform a rectal examination to check for tears, hemorrhoids, and any other abnormalities, and then do laboratory testing to screen you for different diseases and conditions. If after these tests and a comprehensive medical history interview the cause of your constipation is still uncertain, your doctor may order an imaging study of the colon and rectum to check for more serious problems, such as an obstruction. In severe cases, your doctor may order more tests or refer you to a gastroenterologist for further evaluation.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Understand that chronic constipation is common and has multiple causes. Take note of your symptoms. Make an appointment with a doctor.
Article: Some people are very emotionally prone. They experience strong emotions and then tend to think with how things make them feel. These are the kind of people that share lots of returning-soldier-reunited-with-dog videos on your Facebook wall. For these kinds of people, when you talk to them use language and arguments that play to their emotions in order to convince them. In the study of argumentation, this is called appealing to "pathos." For example, make them feel sorry for you. If you're trying to convince your mom to let you go to summer camp, say something like, "I just don't want to stay home all summer while my friends are away. I get so sad when there's no one around." People whose emotions are easily swayed tend to be vulnerable. Think carefully about the effect you'll have if you succeed. Are you comfortable causing regret or panic to get what you want, or will that spoil your victory? There are other people (and sometimes these two groups overlap), that like arguments that hold up to logic. They want evidence and good reasons to line up before they'll be convinced. These are usually the people that post news stories refuting the latest Supreme Court decision with evidence of its negative effects. When talking to people like this, use logic in order to appeal to them. In the study of argumentation, this is called appealing to the "logos." For example, convince a boss to give you a sabbatical by listing the job-related skills you'll learn, and showing studies that breaks make employees more productive. With just about anyone, use language that makes them feel capable, confident, smart, knowledgeable, important, and kind. Using subtle, flattering language will make them like you more but it will also distract them. If they're too busy thinking about how good they feel to get a compliment that they really like and weren't expecting, then they won't think about how your argument doesn't make 100% sense to them. For example, say something like "You know, I'd like to be the speaker for our presentation but I feel like I would just say everything wrong. Probably freeze up too. You're just so much better at talking to people and making a convincing argument than I am. You'd probably have the whole group eating out of your hand." Women have been saying for centuries that the best way to get a man to do something is to make him think it was his idea. However, this is basically true of anyone. If they think that not only is the idea probably good but that it was also their idea, then they'll be much less resistant to doing that thing. For example, say something like "My poor friend Dale is such a good guy. It's a shame he never seems to catch a break. He's got so much going for him too: he works so hard and he's really smart. He's even charming, really charming, once you get to know him." if you want to try and get them to realize that they should hire/date/whatever Dale. They'll hear this fantastic description and think, "You know, he doesn't sound half bad. Maybe I should..." This shouldn't be your first stop, but planting concern in someone's mind can be a very effective technique. Use language that plays to their worries, or that suggests the decision is time-sensitive. For example, say something like, "You know, I heard they're not going to be making these any more. If you want one, it's probably better to buy it now, before you have to spend three times as much on eBay in order to get one." This kind of language and persuasion should be your last resort, because you usually only get to do this once. People quickly figure out that you're just fear-mongering in order to get what you want, and then they won't trust anything you say. This kind of reputation can spread as well, so be careful.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Appeal to emotions. Appeal to logic. Flatter them. Make them think it was their idea. Cause someone to worry.