Constipation occurs when a person has difficulty emptying the large bowel. Home remedies and lifestyle changes can often help resolve it, but sometimes, it may need medical attention.
Constipation can happen for many reasons, such as when stool passes through the colon too slowly. The slower the food moves through the digestive tract, the more water the colon will absorb and the harder the feces will become.
A person who poops fewer than 3 times per week may have constipation.
Sometimes, constipation results from a blockage in the large intestine. In this case, a person will need urgent medical attention. At other times, it may simply be due to a lack of fiber or water.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of constipation are:
- difficulty passing stool
- straining when passing stool
- passing less stool than usual
- lumpy, dry, or hard stool
Other symptoms include:
- pain and cramping in the abdomen
- feeling bloated
- nausea
- a loss of appetite
Complications
Constipation on its own can be uncomfortable, but it typically is not life threatening.
Damage that can arise as a result of severe constipation includes:
- rectal bleeding after straining
- anal fissure, which is a small tear around the anus
- symptomatic hemorrhoids (piles), which are swollen, inflamed blood vessels in the anus
- fecal impaction, which occurs when dried stool stagnates and collects in the rectum and anus, potentially leading to a mechanical obstruction
Causes
Constipation can have causes that aren't due to underlying disease. Examples include dehydration, lack of dietary fibre, physical inactivity or medication side effects.
The following are some common causes of constipation:
Lack of fiber in the diet
People with a high intake of dietary fiber are less likely to experience constipation.
This is because fiber promotes regular bowel movements, especially when a person combines it with proper hydration.
High fiber foods include:
- fruits
- vegetables
- whole grains
- nuts
- lentils, chickpeas, and other legumes
- high fat foods, such as cheese, meat, and eggs
- highly processed foods, such as white bread
- fast foods, chips, and other premade foods
Physical inactivity
Low levels of physical activity may also lead to constipation.
Some past studies have found that physically fit people, including marathon runners, are less likely to experience constipation than other people, although the exact reasons for this remain unclear.
A study from 2013 notes that increasing mobility might help improve constipation among older adults.
People who spend several days or weeks in bed or sitting in a chair may have a higher risk of constipation.
Some medications
Some medications can also increase the risk of constipation. These include:
Opioid pain relief drugs: These include codeine (present with acetaminophen in Tylenol #3), oxycodone (OxyContin), and hydromorphone (Dilaudid).
Tricyclic antidepressants: These include amitriptyline (Elavil) and imipramine (Tofranil).
Certain anticonvulsants: Examples include phenytoin (Dilantin) and carbamazepine (Tegretol).
Calcium channel blockers: These lower blood pressure, and certain types lower heart rate. They include diltiazem (Cardizem) and nifedipine (Procardia).
Antacids that contain aluminum: These include Amphojel and Basaljel.
Antacids that contain calcium: One example is Tums.
Diuretics: These remove excess fluid from the body. They include hydrochlorothiazide (Hydrodiuril) and furosemide (Lasix).
Iron supplements: Doctors prescribe these to treat iron deficiency anemia.
Irritable bowel syndrome
People with functional intestinal difficulty, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), have a higher risk of constipation than people without the condition.
A person with IBS may experience:
- abdominal pain
- bloating
- distension
- changes in the frequency or consistency of stools
With IBS, constipation can fluctuate over time. When constipation is not present, there may instead be loose stools with diarrhea.
Aging
As people age, the prevalence of constipation tends to increase. Up to 40% of older people in the community and up to 60% of those in institutions may experience constipation.
The exact cause of this remains unclear. It may be that as people age, food takes longer to pass through the digestive tract. Many people also become less mobile, which may also contribute to constipation.
Medical conditions, medications, and a low intake of fiber or water may be other factors that lead to constipation with age.
Changes in routine
When a person travels, for example, their usual routine changes. This can affect the digestive system. In an article from 2008, scientists asked 83 people about the digestive changes they experienced while traveling outside of the United States.
The results showed that 9% of people experienced constipation when they went to another country.
Eating meals, going to bed, and using the bathroom at different times than usual could increase the risk of constipation.
Overuse of laxatives
Some people worry that they do not use the bathroom often enough, and they take laxatives to try to solve this problem. Laxatives can help with bowel movements, but regular use of certain laxatives allows the body to get used to their action.
This may cause a person to continue taking laxatives when they no longer need them. The person may also need higher doses to get the same effect.
In other words, laxatives can be habit forming — especially stimulant laxatives. This means that the more a person depends on laxatives, the greater their risk of constipation when they stop using them.
Overuse of laxatives can also lead to:
- dehydration
- an electrolyte imbalance
- internal organ damage
- Some of these complications can become life threatening. For this reason, people should talk to a healthcare professional before they start using laxatives.
Not using the bathroom when necessary
If a person ignores the urge to have a bowel movement, the urge may gradually go away until they no longer feel the need to go.
However, the longer they delay, the drier and harder the stool will become. This will increase the risk of fecal impaction.
Not drinking enough water
Regularly drinking enough water can help reduce the risk of constipation.
Other suitable fluids include naturally sweetened fruit or vegetable juices and clear soups.
It is important to note that some liquids can increase the risk of dehydration and make constipation worse for some people. For example, those who are prone to constipation should limit their intake of caffeinated sodas, coffee, and alcohol.
Natural remedies(Treatments)
Some methods of easing constipation without using medication include:
Increasing fiber intake
Adults should eat 25–31 grams of fiber every day. Fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as fortified cereals, have a high fiber content.
Adding fiber-containing bulking agents to meals can help soften stools and make them easier to pass. One option is to sprinkle a tablespoon of wheat bran onto breakfast cereals or add it to a yogurt or smoothie.
Drinking water
Water can help rehydrate the body and prevent constipation.
Getting regular exercise
This can help make bodily processes more regular, including the passing of stools.
Establishing a routine
Have a usual place and time of day to visit the bathroom without forcing a stool.
Avoiding holding in stools
Responding to the body's urges to pass stools can help prevent constipation.
Elevating the feet
Some people find it easier to pass stools during a bowel movement if they place their feet on a low platform, such as a step, with their knees above hip level.
Comments