Constipation is a common digestive disorder experienced by millions all over the world. It occurs due to the infrequent or difficult passage of bowels. You are not the only one if you are struggling with this uncomfortable state. More than 2.5 million individuals pay their doctors annually due to this problem. This blog covers all about this problem and how it can be treated.
Table of Contents
What is Constipation?
You are constipated when you make fewer than three bowel movements per week. Everybody has a different body. There are those who poop a few times in one day while there are those who do the same a few times in the week. You can only know where you are normal and when something is different.
When this condition strikes, unwanted water is absorbed by the colon. This causes your feces to become hard, dry and hard to pass. The more time you hold on to the waste in your colon, the more difficult it is to get rid of.
Constipation Symptoms
It is important to identify the signs promptly in order to act. The symptoms of common constipation include:
- Less than three bowel movements every week.
- Hard, dry, or lumpy stools
- Difficulty and pain in passing stool.
- Having the impression that your rectum is clogged.
- Feeling that not everything has been passed.
- Stomach cramps and bloating of the belly.
- Having to push a finger to help you so that you can pass stool.
Chronic constipation refers to two or more symptoms for three months or more.
Constipation Causes
It is possible to treat this problem when you know what are the constipation causes. The causes you must be aware of are as follows:
Lifestyle Factors
- If you drink sufficient water or fluids
- Eating a low-fiber diet
- If you do not perform physical exercise or physical activity
- Resistance to the urge to defecate
- The daily routine of traveling changes
- Excessive consumption of dairy food or processed food
- High stress levels
Medical Conditions
This problem may be caused by a number of health issues:
- IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
- Diabetes
- Thyroid (hypothyroidism) Underactive thyroid.
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Pregnancy
- Nerve damage or dysfunction
- Colon or rectal blockages
- Problems with pelvic floor muscles.
Medications
Several medicines may have constipation as a side effect:
- Opioid pain relievers
- Antidepressants
- Blood pressure medications
- The calcium or aluminum antacids
- Iron supplements
- Anti-seizure medications
- Antihistamines against allergies
Constipation Danger Signs
Although this condition is not typically a serious condition, some warning signs should be addressed urgently. Get in touch with your physician immediately in case of such constipation danger signs:
- Bad stomach pain that does not go away
- Toilet blood or blood on the paper.
- Black or tar-colored stools
- Have this problem for more than three weeks.
- Immediate loss of gastric or bowel movements.
- Unexplained weight loss
- Significant alterations with regard to stool shape or color.
These symptoms may be a sign of a more serious underlying condition that may need professional constipation treatment.
Simple Home Remedies for Constipation Relief
Simple lifestyle changes are able to manage most of the mild to moderate conditions. The following are viable solutions to attempt:
- Increase Your Fluid Intake: Take an additional two to four glasses of water per day. Warm liquids particularly in the morning, may be especially useful in the stimulation of bowel movements. Keep yourself hydrated as it softens your poop and makes it simpler to pass.
- Eat More Fiber-Rich Foods:
Increase the consumption of high-fiber foods in the diet:
- Fresh vegetables (cucumber and tomatoes)
- Fruits (pineapples, spinach, pomegranates)
- Bread (whole wheat bread, oats, brown rice, etc.)
- Beans and legumes
- Prunes and bran cereal
Fiber provides bulk to your stool and makes your stool travel through your intestines more easily.
- Exercise Regularly: Exercise makes your digestive system perform well. The muscles of your intestines are more active as well when you move your body. Exercise at least 30 minutes a day, 5 or more days per week.
- Don’t Ignore Nature’s Call: As soon as you have the desire to poop, go to the lavatory. The constipation may be aggravated by the delay in bowel movements.
- Try Probiotics: Ingest food items that have probiotics such as yogurt and kefir. These are the good bacteria that aid good digestion and may be useful in eliminating this problem.
- Adjust Your Toilet Position: Passing stool can be made easier by raising your feet, bending back a little or squatting. It is worthwhile to think of sitting in the toilet with your feet on a footstool.
- Limit Certain Foods: Limit the intake of processed meat, fried food, refined carbohydrates and too many dairy products. Such low-fiber foodstuffs are capable of causing this problem.
Constipation Treatment Options
In case the home-treatment measures fail to help, there are a number of constipation treatment methods:
Over-the-Counter Constipation Medicine
- Fiber supplements (Metamucil, Citrucel, Benefiber) increase the size of stool.
- Sool softeners aid in the process of introducing water into your intestines.
- Poop is softened by Osmotic agents such as milk of magnesia.
- Lubricant laxatives assist in making the stool pass more easily.
- Stimulant laxatives cause the bowels to contract in order to get things along.
Never take constipation medicines without consulting your doctor or pharmacist about the medication and the duration of taking it.
Prescription Medications
In the case of chronic, your doctor can prescribe more powerful medicines:
- Lubiprostone (Amitiza)
- Linaclotide (Linzess)
- Plecanatide (Trulance)
- Prucalopride (Motegrity)
- Lactulose
Other Medical Interventions
Enemas, suppositories or even surgery can be required in rare cases. Surgical intervention is normally advised in cases of structural defects such as obstruction, constrictions of the intestine or rectal prolapse.
Preventing Constipation Long-Term
There is a saying that prevention is better than a cure. These tips can be used to have a healthy digestive system:
- Consume fruits, vegetables and whole grains which makes it a nutritious diet
- Take at least eight glasses of water a day
- Stay physically active
- Grab the opportunity at the appropriate time when you feel like going
- Restrict the alcohol and caffeine consumption
- Maintain a food diary as a way of establishing trigger foods
- Use of fiber or magnesium nutrients can be considered
Frequently Asked Questions
Ans. The primary constipation symptoms include having fewer than three bowel movements per week, hard or lumpy stools, straining during bathroom visits, and feeling like your rectum is blocked.
Ans. The best medicine for this problem depends on your specific situation. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any constipation treatment.
Ans. Serious constipation danger signs include severe stomach pain, blood in your stool, sudden inability to pass gas, this condition lasting over three weeks, and unexplained weight loss.
Ans. Major constipation causes include not drinking enough water, low fiber intake, lack of exercise, certain medications (especially opioid pain relievers), and medical conditions.
Ans. Seek professional constipation treatment if your symptoms last more than three weeks, if you have severe pain or bleeding, if you notice significant changes in your bowel patterns, or if home remedies aren’t providing relief.
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