Educational purposes only. Please contact your doctor if you have questions about your symptoms or care. What Is Constipation? Constipation means having fewer than three bowel movements per week. You may also notice hard stools, straining, a feeling that you can't fully empty your bowels, or needing to use your fingers to help pass stool. When these symptoms have been present for at least six months, it's considered chronic constipation. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone and there are...

BONE HEALTH EDUCATION A Plain-Language Guide to Bisphosphonate Drug Holidays If you have been taking alendronate (Fosamax) or another bisphosphonate medication for your bones, your doctor may eventually suggest something that sounds a little surprising: stopping the medication for a while. This planned pause is called a "drug holiday,"  and it is actually a well-established, science-backed approach recommended by major medical organizations. But like any medical decision, it comes with both...

NOTE: This is for educational purposes and this is not medical advice. If you or a loved one has been taking bisphosphonate medications like alendronate (Fosamax), risedronate (Actonel), or zoledronic acid (Reclast) for osteoporosis, you may have heard about something called a "drug holiday." This might sound confusing—why would you stop taking a medication that's helping your bones? Let's break down what drug holidays are, why doctors recommend them, and what the pros and cons are. What Are...