Constipation is a condition where a person has hard feces that are difficult to expel. When constipated, you shed feces less often. Usually you shed fewer than three bowel movements a week. Though it is common, some may have chronic constipation that can interfere with their daily activities. Severe or chronic constipation has less than one stool per week.
Causes of constipation
Constipation happens when the muscles in the colon contracts poorly. When this happens, your stool moves too slowly. At the same time you lose more water. Common causes include:
- Lack of fiber in your diet
- Medication- Some medicine can cause constipation like
- pain reliever drugs
- Calcium channel blocker drugs
- Diuretics
- Lack of exercise
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Milk
- Stress
- Pregnancy
- Changes in routine
- Aging
- Overuse of laxatives
- Not drinking enough water
- Not going to the toilet when needed
- Problems with the rectum or colon
- Some diseases and conditions
- Cancer (colon, rectal, abdominal)
- Narrowing of the colon
- Stroke
- Diabetes
- Hormonal disorders
- Uremia
- Lupus
- Poor glycemic control
Signs and symptoms of constipation
Signs and symptoms of constipation include:
- Hard feces
- Infrequent bowel movement
- Abdominal discomfort
- Straining when going in the bathroom
- Vomiting
- Hardly any bowel movement
- Distress with having to go to the bathroom
Constipation diagnosis
Your doctor may ask for the following test to find the cause of your constipation:
- Blood test
- Examination of the rectum and lower colon
- Examination of the rectum and the entire colon
- An x-ray of the rectum
- MRI defecography
- Colonoscopy to look for blockages in your colon
Preventive measures of constipation
Preventive measures of constipation include:
- Eating a healthy diet
- Drinking 1 ½ to 2 quarts of water a day
- Exercise on regular basis
- Avoiding caffeinated drinks
- Avoiding dairy products
- Not holding on for too long
Constipation treatments
Treatment starts with lifestyle changes such as having a healthy diet. Your doctor may recommend medications and surgery if lifestyle change won’t help.
Lifestyle changes
- Increase fiber intake- Fibers can increase the weight of your stool and speed up its passage in your intestines.
- Not ignoring the urge to go to the bathroom
- Drinking more water to help with the bowel movement
- Adding more fruits and vegetables in your diet
- Exercise- Exercise can increase the muscle activity of the intestines.
Medications
- Fiber supplements like psyllium
- Osmotics
- Lubricants
- Stimulants such as Dulcolax
- Stool softeners like Docusate
- Laxative like Milk of Magnesia
Constipation complications
Complications include:
- Swollen veins in the anus
- Stool that can’t be expel
- Protrude intestine from the anus
Read More
Login