Constipation is a condition where you have infrequent bowel
movements that last for a few weeks or longer. Generally, this means that you
have less than three bowel movements every week. Being constipated once in
a while is very common, but some people have chronic constipation that can make
you strain a lot so you can have a bowel movement. Your treatment depends on
the cause.
Your constipation symptoms can vary each time you have it,
and you can experience a lot of them at the same time. The most common
constipation symptoms include but are not limited to:
Having fewer than three bowel movements each
week
Having hard or lumpy stools
Straining to go tho the bathroom
Feeling like you have a blockage
Feeling like you don’t empty your rectum
completely when you do go
Needing assistance to go to the bathroom like
pressing on your abdomen
If you’ve had two or more of these symptoms for three
consecutive months, your doctor may consider you to be chronically
constipated.
One of the main reasons you’d get constipated is because
your rectum can’t empty completely, or your stool or waste products move
too slowly through your digestive system. Other possible constipation causes
include:
Side effects with constipation are rare, but they do happen.
They’re more common with people who have chronic constipation. However,
the most common side effects include:
Anal
Fissures – An anal fissure is when you get small skin tears around your
anus. A hard or large stool can cause anal fissures.
Rectal
Prolapse – A rectal prolapse is a medical condition where your intestine
protrudes from your anus. This issue comes from straining to have a bowel
movement because it stretches your intestine.
Fecal
Impaction – People who have chronic constipation can have a buildup of hard
stool that gets stuck in their intestines. This condition is called a fecal
impaction.
Hemorrhoids
– If the veins around your anus swell, this is called hemorrhoids. It’s a
painful condition that can require surgery to fix.
If you routinely get constipation, you have a few treatment
options available to you. Again, these will vary depending on your severity
level and whether or not you have side effects present. The treatment options
include:
Diet
Changes – You want to increase the amount of fiber you eat. Add whole
grains, fruits, and vegetables because they’ll encourage your stool to pass
through your digestive system. You might have a specific amount of fiber to eat
each day. Taking laxatives is another option, but you should talk to your
doctor before you do.
Exercise
– Engaging in exercise can help stimulate your muscles in your intestines. You
want to exercise a few days a week, and don’t ignore the urge to have a bowel
movement.
You don’t have to live with constipation, and it’s
treatable. However, you need a professional opinion to get a proper diagnosis,
and our Medek healthcare providers are on hand and ready to help. Contact
us today!