Constipation

If you have constipation you may suffer from one or more of the following problems :

•       Having less than three bowel movements a week
•        Hard, dry, or lumpy stools
•        Difficulty passing stools
•        Feeling bloated or uncomfortable
•        Abdominal pain

The symptoms of constipation may resemble other conditions or problems. Consult a General Practice doctor (General Practitioner) if your symptoms do not resolve by home care.

The most common causes include :

•        Not eating enough fiber, which is found in fruits, vegetables, and cereals
•        Not drinking enough water and fluids
•        Not moving enough and spending prolonged periods sitting or lying down
•        Being less active and not exercising
•        Ignoring the urge to go to the toilet
•       Changing your daily habits
•        A side effect of a medicine
•        Stress, anxiety, or depression
•        Overuse of laxatives

Adding to your medical history and physical examination, your doctor may request some tests based on the case severity and check if there is any other medical condition that causes constipation :

•        Blood tests
•        Urine tests
•        Stool tests
•        Endoscopy
•        Imaging tests like CT and MRI

Most frequently, dietary and lifestyle modifications can alleviate constipation, reducing symptoms and aiding in its prevention. Treatment may include :

•       Increase fibers intake (by adding foods such as beans, whole grains, bran cereals, fresh fruits, and vegetables)
•        Drink plenty of water and fluids
•        Be physically active and exercise regularly
•        Do not delay or ignore the urge to go to the toilet
•       Speak to a pharmacist for advice if diet and lifestyle changes are not helping; he can suggest a suitable over-the-counter laxative (for example : lactulose, macrogol, polyethylene glycol, bisacodyl, senna, sodium picosulphate, docusate, methylcellulose)
•        If lifestyle modification and over-the-counter drugs do not work, your doctor may recommend a prescription medicine (for example: lubiprostone, prucalopride)

If left untreated, constipation may cause one of the following complications:

•        Hemorrhoids due to straining to have a bowel movement
•       Anal fissures because of the sphincter muscle stretching by the hard stool which causes tears in the skin around the anus
•       Rectal prolapse where a tiny portion of the intestinal lining may occasionally prolapse from the anal hole as a result of straining.