What is constipation? Also know about causes, symptoms and diagnosis of the constipation

Constipation is defined as a longer than three days between bowel movements.

Constipation is a common problem that many adults and children experience. It can be caused by many different factors and can be treated easily with lifestyle changes.

 This includes eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and limiting excessive caffeine intake. People who are sick often have more trouble passing stool. Doctors have many treatments for those who are sick, but there aren't many options for healthy people.

Constipation is when your bowel movements are less frequent and less strong than usual. The stool may be hard or difficult to pass, and it may have mucus or blood clots in it. People who are sick tend to have more trouble passing stool, as their bodies have adapted to prevent vomiting from hurting their health.

 For example, a person with a cold will have trouble passing stools after a milder version of the same virus attacked his system. In addition, some people find that their stool becomes more watery when they are dehydrated. In these cases, passing water will help the person pass better- smelling stools.

Causes of constipation

Certain factors can contribute to constipation; one of the most common is eating a diet high in processed foods. These foods lack fiber and contain few nutrients. Eating these foods leaves you lacking important nutrients and can deplete your body's energies needed to digest food.

 In addition, doing heavy labor or stressing from work often exhausts your body's energies needed to properly digest food and eliminate waste. This makes it much harder for you to go number 2 without straining it out- which can lead to constipation.

Constipation can be a frustrating and exhausting condition, particularly for people who have to look after children or who work from home.

But many of the causes of constipation are not life-threatening and do not require medical intervention.

Often, people experience constipation due to:

malabsorption or difficult food to digest

abnormal gut habits, such as not drinking enough fluids

dehydration

gastroparesis, which can cause difficulty emptying the bowels and in doing so, prevent absorption of nutrients

irregularity of the bowel

A person may also be constipated if they have a digestive condition, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS).

Additionally, there is a genetic link to constipation and changes in diet may play a role.

As a person becomes older, chances of constipation increase. As a person becomes older, chances of constipation increase.

Food-related

Food may cause constipation in some people, especially some high-fiber and starchy foods.

Some foods that are commonly thought to cause constipation are refined carbohydrates and caffeine. Although both are high in sugar, they contain different nutrients, which may cause similar constipation-related symptoms.

Other sources of constipation include:

bad sleep habits

poor posture

use of a bed that is too soft, allowing for the introduction of fecal material into the intestines

use of laxatives and other medications

Over-the-counter (OTC) laxatives may be more effective than using a prescription medication to treat constipation. Some OTC laxatives may be easier to take, and they tend to be less expensive than prescription medicines.

In rare cases, constipation may be caused by an underlying medical condition.

Symptoms of constipation

Symptoms of constipation include not passing stool during a period of time, and straining to pass stool.

Constipation affects approximately 20 percent of adults in the United States.

Constipation is a digestive condition that happens when a person has difficulty passing stools, especially bowel movements.

Trying to pass stool frequently can cause painful cramps, bloating, and diarrhea.

Excessive straining on the stool may also contribute to constipation.

A person may experience some of the following symptoms of constipation:

difficulty passing stools

Variations in the colour or changes in consistency of stools

feelings of an overwhelming need to pass stools

excessive or excessive straining or pain in the abdomen

loss of appetite

abdominal pain

persistent urge to pass stools

Diagnosis

Diagnosing constipation can be difficult, as the symptoms can overlap with several other conditions.

People with constipation often describe their symptoms as overwhelming or painful.

To diagnose constipation, a doctor will look at:

the person's medical history and information about their digestive system

whether they have problems passing stools or have trouble emptying their bowels

the extent of the constipation and how often the person experiences these symptoms

a physical examination of the person and their abdominal area

People often assume that they will have certain diseases, but many can cause constipation without any identifiable cause.

An individual who is constipated should tell their doctor if they have any of the following signs of constipation, as well as any underlying conditions:

mild abdominal discomfort

feeling that the bowel is moving less than usual

inability to pass stool

muscle cramps

an abdominal mass

People with constipation should receive medical attention as soon as possible.

Diagnosis should be made by a doctor, who will likely use a stool test, such as colonoscopy or colonoscopy with flexible sigmoidoscopy.

A doctor will examine the large intestine and look for any abnormal tissue. They will also use imaging scans, such as X-rays or computed tomography, to investigate the digestive system.

Doctors may also request to see other family members and friends who also experience constipation, in order to rule out medical issues.

If no underlying medical condition is present, it may be a matter of age. If a person is older than 50, they may be more likely to experience constipation. However, it is a good idea to always discuss any physical symptoms with a doctor to find out more about the underlying cause.

Stool softeners and laxatives are the main treatment options for constipation. However, they may cause side effects, and people may end up constipated again if they stop taking them.

Takeaway

Chronic constipation is often difficult to treat. It is important to pay close attention to lifestyle changes and dietary advice, to make sure the constipation is not caused by a medical condition or not taken care of.

It is vital to get help for constipation from a doctor, who may refer the person to a specialist if the condition does not respond to treatment.

If a person has IBD, they may require the same lifestyle changes and dietary advice as the rest of their healthful living team. If they have IBS, they should visit a doctor, who will typically prescribe a combination of probiotic and fiber supplements.

Other people may benefit from lifestyle changes, such as getting more exercise and avoiding other food groups, such as alcohol, which can cause constipation.

It is vital that people do not take any unnecessary risks with their health, so if they are taking any supplements, they should check with their doctor first.