Have you had 1 or more normal-size to large stools that are mostly black or bloody?

Have you had 1 or more normal-size to large stools that are partly black or bloody?

Have you had 1 or more small stools that are mostly black or bloody?

Have you had streaks of blood in your stools? Note: Streaks of blood in your stools occasionally is not unusual, but talk to your doctor about what to expect.

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Have you suddenly lost the ability to control your bowels?

Do you have new fecal incontinence that does not appear to be caused by difficulty cleaning the rectal area?

Have you had fecal incontinence for longer than 2 weeks despite home treatment?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Do you think your constipation may be caused by physical or sexual abuse?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Do you have severe rectal pain that lasts for at least 30 minutes after passing stool?

Do you have moderate rectal pain that lasts for at least 30 minutes after passing stool?

Is rectal pain preventing you from having a bowel movement?

Are you unable to tolerate the discomfort caused by constipation?

Have you had more than one bowel movement that caused mild to moderate rectal pain that lasted longer than 30 minutes in the past 24 hours?

Do you have mild to moderate rectal pain despite 1 week of home treatment?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Do you think that your constipation may be caused by a medication?Note: If you answered Yes:Call the health professional who prescribed the medication to see whether you should stop taking the medication or take a different one. An appointment may not be needed.If you are taking a nonprescription medication, stop taking it. Call your health professional if you feel you need to still take the medication.

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Are you unable to tolerate the discomfort caused by constipation?

Do you have constipation with other symptoms, such as fever, shaking chills, or vomiting?

Do you have new constipation without other symptoms that has not improved after 1 week of home treatment?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Is constipation causing new problems after 1 week of home treatment?

Is constipation getting worse after 1 week of home treatment?

Do you have new bowel habit changes that have not improved after 2 weeks of home treatment?

Do you have chronic constipation that you have not discussed with your health professional?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Have you been unable to stop using laxatives after 2 weeks?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Call your health professional immediately.

You have answered "Yes" to a question that indicates you may need immediate care. Call your health professional now to discuss your symptoms and arrange for your care.

• Symptoms are likely to worsen without medical care.
• If you do not have a health professional, seek emergency care.
• Emergency transportation is not needed. However, if you are not able to travel safely either by driving yourself or having someone else drive you, call an ambulance.

You do not need to answer any of the other questions.

Call your health professional today.

You have answered "Yes" to a question that indicates you need to call your health professional to discuss your symptoms and arrange for care.

• An appointment today is usually needed.
• Symptoms are unlikely to improve without medical care.

Return to the Check Your Symptoms section and answer the questions. You may need to see a health professional sooner if you have other more serious symptoms.

You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours.

You have answered "Yes" to a question that indicates you may wait to see if your symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or the specified time period). If symptoms improve, no appointment is needed.

• If symptoms do not improve after 24 hours (or the specified time period), an appointment within the next 24 hours is usually needed.
• If appropriate, try home treatment to relieve your symptoms.
• Check your symptoms in 24 hours, or sooner if there is any change.
• Call your health professional if symptoms get worse.

Return to the Check Your Symptoms section and answer the questions. You may need to see a health professional sooner if you have other more serious symptoms.