DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My grandson, my only grandchild, has had a constipation problem since his birth. He is 6 months old now. My daughter has spoken to his pediatrician about this on many occasions. The doctor suggested mineral oil. On her last visit, he told her he wanted to check the baby for megacolon. I know what colon means, and I know that mega is big, but I don’t know what megacolon is. Will you please explain this? — A.W.

ANSWER: Congenital megacolon is a segment of colon in which nerve cells have failed to establish a connection during fetal development. Without such connections, that part of the colon has weak to zero muscle contractions. The colon can’t move undigested food through it.

When a large segment of colon has no nerve connections, signs of trouble are present from birth. The colon fills and expands with feces — the “mega” of “megacolon.” The infant doesn’t pass stool. With involvement of a smaller section of colon, constipation is the main sign, but the infant can still pass stool less often and with difficulty.

Congenital megacolon isn’t the only cause of infant constipation. An anatomically narrow colon (a birth defect), too little thyroid hormone, low blood potassium and high blood calcium are other causes.

One way of establishing the megacolon diagnosis is through a biopsy of the rectum. A doctor can do it without having to hospitalize the baby. Microscopic examination of the tissue demonstrates the lack of nerve connections.

Correction of the problem is removal of the involved section of the colon and then hooking the colon back together.

Another name for this disorder is Hirschsprung disease.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I take an oral medicine for diabetes. I keep a record of my blood sugar readings. I have my own blood sugar meter. What is considered normal for a fasting reading and for a reading after eating? — T.S.

ANSWER: A fasting blood sugar (plasma glucose) ought to be 130 mg/dL (7.2 mmol/L) or less. “Fasting” means no food in the preceding eight to 12 hours.

Two hours after eating, the reading should be less than 180 (10).

The hemoglobin A1c value gives an idea of what your blood sugar averaged in the preceding three to four months. It should be less than 7 percent. The American Association of Clinical Endocrinology sets 6.5 percent as the desirable reading for HbA1c.

The diabetes booklet provides answers to many questions on this common disorder. To obtain a copy, write to Dr. Donohue — No. 402, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Can. with the recipient’s printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Will you answer a question that’s been bugging me? Does a person get more oxygen by panting like a dog or by taking slow, deep breaths? I am 91. I don’t have any breathing problem, but this question has bugged me for many years. — K.D.

ANSWER: Shallow, rapid breaths don’t get air deeply into the lungs. Much of it reaches only the breathing tubes. Dogs pant to cool themselves.

Slow, deep breaths are better.

Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Readers may also order health newsletters from www.rbmamall.com.

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