Constipation Treatment, Causes And Symptoms | Sarvhit Gastrocity

Millions of people worldwide are affected by the problem of constipation. It occurs when the digestive system malfunctions, resulting in infrequent bowel movements and hence there is a difficulty in passing stools. While occasional constipation is not a significant health risk, chronic constipation can lead to haemorrhoids, anal fissures, and sometimes even colorectal cancer. Further, we will look at the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for constipation.

Factors causing Constipation

Before discussing the ways of constipation treatment, let us look at several factors contributing to this issue’s development. Some of the most common causes of constipation are

1. Poor Diet: A diet that lacks fiber like fruits, vegetables, and cereals, as well as fluids can lead to constipation. Fluids keep the faeces soft and moist while fiber helps to bulk up the stool, making it easier to pass.
2. Sedentary Lifestyle: Constipation can also result from inactivity. Exercise encourages regular bowel motions by stimulating the colon muscles.
3. Medical Conditions: Constipation can also be caused by a variety of medical conditions, including diabetes, hypothyroidism, and irritable bowel syndrome.
4. Medications: Constipation can be brought on by several drugs, including opioid painkillers, antacids, and antidepressants.
5. Ignoring the urge: Constipation also results from the cause if someone ignores the urge to evacuate the stool when the body indicates it.
6. Stress: Constipation can also be caused by a stressful life.

Symptoms of Constipation

Constipation can cause a wide range of symptoms that can differ from person to person. However, the following are some of the most typical symptoms:

1. Infrequent bowel movements: If there are less than three bowel movements in a week, then you may be constipated
2. Difficulty in passing Stools: If you have to strain or push hard to pass stools, it may be a sign of constipation.
3. Hard, lumpy stools: If your stool is hard and dry, it may be due to constipation
4. Abdominal discomfort: Constipation can also be caused by abdominal discomfort, bloating, and cramping.

Diagnosis of Constipation

Constipation treatment cannot be started without a correct diagnosis of the issue. Depending on the degree and length of constipation, doctors make a variety of observations. Patients’ age and other factors such as blood in stool, changes in bowel habits or weight loss will be considered by the doctor. A complete diagnosis of the patient includes

1. Previous Medical History: The doctor will obtain a thorough medical history from the patient, including the duration of the symptoms, the frequency of the bowel movements, and other crucial details to identify the reason for constipation.
2. Physical Examination: A gloved, lubricated finger is put within the rectum during a digital rectal examination (DRE) by the doctor in order to assess the tone of the muscles there. The physical examination aids in determining the degree of discomfort, blockage, blood loss, and stool quality.
3. Abdominal X-ray: X-rays can be helpful to the doctor in getting the exact picture of the abdominal organs.
4. Barium anema: The procedure involves inserting a fluid called barium (a metallic, chalky liquid that coats the inside of organs so that they show up on X-ray) inside a rectum as an enema. The X-ray reflects the chemical and shows blockages, narrowed areas, and other problems inside the abdominal area.
5. Colonoscopy: The procedure involves inserting a long flexible, lighted tube inside the colon through the rectum. This allows the doctor to examine the complete length of the large intestine for abnormal growth, inflammation of tissues, ulcers, and bleeding to treat the constipation problem.
6. Colorectal transit study: The method requires the patient to consume a capsule containing tiny markers, followed by a week of eating a high-fiber diet. As these markers can be seen on an X-ray, the movement of the markers in the colon is tracked regularly for a week to diagnose the issue.

Constipation Treatment

There are several treatment options available for constipation. The choice of treatment is determined by the doctor based on

• Age, medical history, and overall health of the patient
• Patient’s tolerance for medications, procedures, or therapies
• What is the expected result of the procedure
• Patient’s viewpoint or preference

The most initial constipation treatment advised by the doctor is the changes in lifestyle and diet that help in relieving the symptoms to some extent. These changes are:

1. Consumption of diet containing at least 20 to 35 grams of fiber .This helps in soft and bulky stool formation. Some good sources of fiber include fruits, vegetables ,whole grains, and legumes.
2. Consuming Isabagol, a natural polymer, with water after meals at night that will make it easier to pass stool in the morning.
3. Drinking plenty of fluids helps to keep stool soft and moist, making them easy to pass
4. Limit the consumption of processed food that contains no fiber.
5. Regular exercising to stimulate regular bowel movements.
6. Change the constipation causing medicine.
7. Using the bathroom whenever there is an urge.
8. Consuming laxatives as suggested by the doctor.
9. Using stool softeners like docusate sodium that can make the stool exit easily.
10. Taking regular probiotics to cure constipation by balancing the bacteria in the gut in chronic cases.

Conclusion

Constipation is a frequent ailment that has several potential causes. Constipation is not a severe health problem when it happens occasionally, but complications might arise from chronic constipation. Constipation can be successfully treated using a range of techniques, including dietary changes, medications, treatments, and surgery. Even little lifestyle changes can encourage regular bowel motions and prevent constipation. If you still experience constipation symptoms in spite of the remedies, it is imperative to consult a healthcare provider to determine the underlying cause and the most effective course of constipation therapy.