Constipation

Constipation could occur temporarily with anyone, and this is normal, but when it becomes chronic and interferes with your daily life, then it must be managed before it leads to other problems.

Constipation

Constipation is generally defined as evacuating the intestines less than three times a week. However, you must know that body patterns differ between people because some people might evacuate the intestines twice daily or twice weekly and their bodies are normal.

Constipation is one of the most common digestive problems, and it increases with aging (older than 65 years), especially in women.

Causes of constipation

Constipation generally occurs because the stool moves slower than normal through the large intestines, and that leads to absorbing more water from the stool by the intestines; therefore, it becomes harder and drier than normal.

There are several factors that cause constipation, and they include:

Lifestyle

Not having enough water and fiber.

Not exercising enough.

A frequent resistance to evacuate when needed.

Persistent stress.

Daily routine changes, such as traveling, eating times, and sleeping time.

Medical conditions

Problems in the digestive system, such as lazy bowel syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, problems in pelvic floor muscles that cause outlet dysfunction constipation, problems that lead to obstruction in the bowel or rectum, diverticulitis (small pockets might form in the colon), colorectal cancer, and congenital defects in the digestive system.

Problems in some endocrines, such as hypothyroidism, hypercalcemia, hypokalemia, uremia, and diabetes.

Neurological conditions, such as damage in the spinal cord, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and stroke.

Multiple organ conditions, such as lupus, scleroderma, and amyloidosis.

Pregnancy.

Some medications

Pain killers.

Antihypertensives.

Antacids that contain calcium or aluminum.

Iron pills.

Allergy medications.

Antidepressants.

Antiseizure medications.

Psychiatric medications.

Antinausea medications.

Symptoms of constipation

Less than three bowel movements a week.

Painful and difficult evacuation.

The stool is hard, dry, and lumpy.

Stomachache, bloating, and cramps.

Feeling that the bowels aren’t completely evacuated.

Complications of constipation

Anal fissures and hemorrhoids.

Fecal impaction (a pile-up of too much stool in the rectum).

Damage in the pelvic floor muscles due to straining during evacuating.

Rectal prolapse.

Diagnosis of constipation

It’s done by asking the patient about their symptoms, lifestyle, medical history, and medications.

The doctor might ask for other tests in case of suspicion of another condition.

Treatment of constipation

Changing the lifestyle by increasing water and fiber, in addition to exercising more.

Laxatives.

Other medications in case the previous treatments didn’t work.

In some rare cases, the patient might need surgery if there’s a chronic problem in the colon or rectum that didn’t respond to other treatments.

Prevention of constipation

Follow a healthy diet, drink enough water, and exercise regularly.

Don’t ignore the need to evacuate your bowels.

Try to regulate the time of your bowel movement as much as possible.