What condition is characterized by infrequent and/or uncomfortable bowel movements?

The condition characterized by infrequent and/or uncomfortable bowel movements is constipation. Constipation typically involves having fewer than three bowel movements a week, and it can also include straining during bowel movements, a feeling of incomplete evacuation, or hard, lumpy stools. These symptoms lead to discomfort, which is central to defining constipation.

In contrast, diarrhea refers to frequent and loose bowel movements, which significantly differs from the symptoms of infrequent or difficult movements. Dyspepsia relates to discomfort in the upper gastrointestinal tract, often presenting as bloating or indigestion, and does not involve the bowel movements directly. Gallstones are solid particles that form from bile cholesterol and bilirubin, and while they can lead to discomfort in the abdominal area, they do not specifically relate to bowel movement frequency or discomfort. These distinctions clarify why constipation is the correct answer to the question regarding infrequent and uncomfortable bowel movements.