Are you tired of your constipation? Do you take precautionary measures to avoid it, or are you ignoring it and not taking it seriously? Having constipation for a long time can harm your overall health drastically. It is not advisable to ignore your chronic constipation, as it may have serious consequences.
Although occasional constipation is expected, some people may suffer from chronic constipation that significantly interferes with their daily activities. Chronic constipation may also result in excessive straining and pain when attempting a bowel movement. More importantly, if ignored and not treated, it can lead to severe complications such as hemorrhoids and anal fissures (torn skin in the anus). Being aware of warning signs of constipation contributes to appropriate and timely treatments, and being aware of relevant symptoms and complications significantly impairs a patient’s quality of life.
However, the frequency with which you “go” varies significantly from person to person. Some people have bowel movements several times per day, while others only once or twice a week. Whatever your bowel movement pattern is, it is unique and regular for you – as long as you don’t deviate from it too much.
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Symptoms Of Constipation:
Everyone’s bowel habits are unique. Some people visit three times per day, while others visit three times per week. However, if you have any of the following symptoms, you may be constipated:
- passing lumpy, hard, or dry stools in less than three bowel movements per week
- bowel movements that cause straining or pain
- a sense of fullness, even after a bowel movement
If you suffer from constipation, you are not alone. One of the most common gastrointestinal complaints in the United States is constipation, and Constipation causes at least 2.5 million people to visit their doctor each year.
Who Are More Prone To Constipation?
- Getting older. Older people are less active, have a slower metabolism, and have less muscle contraction strength in their digestive tract than younger people.
- Being a woman, particularly while pregnant and after childbirth. Hormonal changes make women more prone to constipation. The baby in the womb squishes the intestines, slowing stool passage.
- Inadequate consumption of high-fiber foods. Foods high in fiber help keep food moving through the digestive system.
- Taking specific medications
- Having specific neurological (brain and spinal cord diseases) and digestive disorders
What Are The Causes Of Constipation?
There are numerous reasons, or health conditions that may lead to constipation or constipation is one of the symptoms of life-threatening conditions;
Stool movement may be slowed or stopped by obstructions in the colon or rectum. Among the causes are:
- Small tears in the skin surrounding the anus (anal fissure)
- An obstruction in the intestines (bowel obstruction)
- Cancer of the colon
- Colon constriction (bowel stricture)
- Other types of abdominal cancer that press against the colon
- Cancer of the rectum
- Rectum bulge through the vaginal back wall (rectocele)
Chronic constipation can be caused by issues with the pelvic muscles involved in bowel movements. These issues may include:
- Pelvic musculature weakness
- The inability to relax the pelvic muscles sufficiently to allow for a bowel movement (anismus)
- Pelvic muscles that do not correctly coordinate relaxation and contraction (dyssynergia)
Neurological issues can affect the nerves that contract the muscles in the colon and rectum, causing stool to move through the intestines. Among the causes are:
- Nerve damage that affects the control of bodily functions (autonomic neuropathy)
- Injury to the spinal cord
- Stroke
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Parkinson’s disease (PD)
Hormones aid in the balance of fluids in your body. Constipation can be caused by diseases and conditions that disrupt the hormonal balance, such as:
- Diabetes
- The parathyroid gland is overactive (hyperparathyroidism)
- Pregnancy
- Thyroid dysfunction (hypothyroidism)
Chronic constipation can lead to the following complications:
- Veins in your anus are swollen (hemorrhoids). Straining to pass stool may cause swelling in the veins in and around your anus.
- Your anus has ripped skin (anal fissure). Small tears in the anus can be caused by a large or complex stool.
- Stool that won’t go away (fecal impaction). Chronic constipation can lead to an accumulation of hardened stool in your intestines.
- Protruding intestine from the anus (rectal prolapse). Straining to defecate can cause a tiny rectum to stretch and protrude from the anus.
Patient Education And Constipation Management:
Patient education for constipation usually includes recommendations for better dietary management. For life, dietary deficiency necessitates increased fluid and fiber supplementation. The prognosis is excellent for patients who follow the recommended dietary changes.
Prevention Of Constipation:
The following tips can assist you in avoiding chronic constipation.
- Consume a variety of high-fiber foods, such as beans, vegetables, fruits, whole grain cereals, and bran.
- Reduce your intake of low-fiber foods, such as processed foods, dairy, and meat products.
- Consume plenty of fluids.
- Attempt to manage your stress.
- Make a habit of having bowel movements regularly, especially after eating.
- Maintain as much activity as possible and strive for regular exercise.
- Don’t ignore the urge to pass stool.
Constipation is a common problem that affects people as they age, when they take certain medications, or if they don’t eat enough fiber. Most constipation cases are mild and easily treated with dietary and exercise changes.
If you have chronic constipation or constipation combined with other bowel changes, it is critical that you consult with a healthcare professional. You can contact the best gastroenterologists in Lahore to discuss your issues like constipation.
Book an appointment now, to answer all your queries. You can book an appointment with the top health professionals in Pakistan through Marham by calling at Marham helpline: 0311-1222398 or by online booking facility through the website or Marham mobile app.
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