Constipation is the most common problem faced by millions of people across the word. Passing hard stools, having pain and difficulty in the bowel movements are the main symptoms of constipation. It can happen due to many factors like drinking very less fluids or not eating fiber rich foods and sometimes due to side effect of the intake of certain medications. Long term constipation can lead to fissures and other complications. Laxatives can be taken for short periods for getting relief from constipation but that cannot be the right solution for constipation.
The stool gets hard and dry in the intestine and it faces difficulty while passing out of small hole of the rectum. For some people following the wrong pattern of bowel habit and visiting the toilet 2-3 times a week makes the problem worse than before. If there is any change in the usual pattern of passing stool it may cause constipation.
Causes Of Constipation :
1. Fiber – Not eating the required volumes of fiber can cause constipation. An adult with good health condition should take about 14-18g of fiber each day. Fiber particle adds quantity to the feces thus helping in its movement through the gut. Fresh fruits, vegetables, and cereals are high in fiber content.
2. Fluids – Not taking the required quantity of water and other fluids can make constipation problem worse.
3. Side Effects Of Medication – Antidepressant drugs, iron tablets and certain painkillers can lead to constipation. You need to discuss with your doctor about the possible side effects of these drugs. Tell your doctor if you suspect that particular medication is causing constipation so that he may give suitable alternate medication for your problem. Drugs that are taken for reducing weight can cause constipation with difficulty and pain in passing feces.
4. Medical Condition – Various medical conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, intestinal problems and underactive thyroid can cause constipation due to poor mobility of the feces inside.
5. Without Any Apparent Cause – There are some people who have constipation without any known medical cause, though they drink plenty of fluids and eat fiber daily.
Pain With Constipation :
1. Stretching Of Walls Of Abdomen – Constipation will be accompanied with pain due to stretching of walls of the colon. When plenty of stools get build up in the lower colon, the walls of the abdomen get stretched excessively causing pain. Lower abdominal pain can be felt during movement of stool. Very often the pain starts on the left lower abdomen where the colon is descending. For some people pain is felt in the middle of pelvic region and on the back also.
2. Rectal Tears – As the hardened stool pushes through the opening of the rectum it can injure and tear the soft membrane of the rectum. Inflammation of the rectum can occur during the process of straining while passing stool. This can lead to hemorrhoids commonly known as “piles”, affecting millions of people with chronic constipation. Rectal pain can occur due to constipation and after using the toilet.
3. Anal Fissure – Lining of rectum or anus can get torn causing inflammation and injury. Small blood vessels can get damaged heavily leading to bleeding of rectum. Tiny tears occurring on the anus is the condition of anal fissure and is extremely painful. Every visit to the toilet can cause significant pain due to anal fissure for people suffering from long term constipation.
4. Compression Of Nerve – Hardened fecal particles can strain all the way through the colon and rectum causing tiny tears. Fecal impaction can occur when hard stool blocks the way of other stool particles. This can exert considerable pressure on the neighborhood nerves like sacral nerves. Nerve compression can occur in such cases during constipation causing pain on the lower back.
Tests :
No tests are needed to identify constipation since it is self explanatory. However your doctor may order for few tests like liver function test and colonoscopy to diagnose any medical condition within.
Symptoms :
Some of the common signs of constipation are :
- Hard lengthy stool
- Bowel movement with or without pain
- Difficulty in passing stool
- Spending more time in the toilet for passing stool
- Visiting toilet 2-3 times a week or less frequent visit to the toilet
- Mild to moderate pain in the lower right abdomen and on the pelvic region and on the lower back
Read more on Home Remedies For Constipation
Treatment :
1. Fiber – Occasional constipation needs no treatment except changing your lifestyle and diet. Eating fiber rich foods like fruits, vegetables, cereals, whole-wheat, and flour can help in reducing constipation. Fiber is nothing but plant food which can stay for extended hours in the gut adding more volumes to the stool thus making it to move fast. Including wholegrain cereals daily in your breakfast can make lot of difference. Add brown rice or wholemeal pasta in your diet 3-4 times a week. If you have constipation try adding fiber to your diet gradually and not all of sudden since it can cause bloated feeling and fullness of stomach for several days.