Constipation – Symptoms, causes & treatments!

Constipation is not a disease, It occurs when bowel motions become harder or drier than normal and are more difficult to pass, or when you get fewer than your usual number of bowel movement.

Sometimes people worry too much about bowel movements. Bowel movements vary greatly for us all. There is no right or wrong number of daily or weekly bowel movements. For some people a bowel movement everyday is normal, for others a bowel movement every three to four days is normal.

Older people are more likely than younger people to get constipated due to several of the reasons mentioned below. However young people can also get easily constipated and babies may get constipated when they start solids or become dehydrated.

Some questions you can ask yourself to see if you are really constipated:

Do you often have fewer than three bowel movements each week?

Do you often pass hard dry stools each week?

Do you have pain when passing a bowel movement?

Do you have problems such as bleeding?

If your answers are yes to some of these questions, you may be constipated.

Symptoms

Straining to pass a motion.

Hard, difficult to pass bowel motions.

Small hard tools.

Less frequent bowel movements.

Pain during bowel movement.

Stomach cramps or bloating.

With recurring constipation and straining to pass motions, some people may also develop haemorrhoids (piles).

Likely Causes

Not Eating Enough Fiber
Elderly people may tend to eat more soft food if they are losing their teeth and thus not get enough fiber in their diet. Eating too many refined or processes foods can also contribute to constipation because these foods are low in fiber.

Not Drinking Enough Fluid
It is easy to forget to drink enough fluids during the day. Water and other fluids soften our stools and make bowel movements easier. Sometimes babies who are given incorrectly prepared baby formula or babies who have started on solids can get constipation.

Lack of Exercise or Activity
Poor mobility (especially in the elderly), long periods of immobility, like, recovery from illness or injury. Sitting for long periods when traveling by air or changing your job to a less active one, can all cause constipation.

Failure to Answer Your Natural’s Call
Failure to answer your bowel movement call can cause constipation or more serious problems.

Medicines
Some medicines, both prescription and over the counter ones can cause constipation. Some examples are antidepressants, diuretics, anti Parkinson’s medicines, antacids containing aluminum or calcium and antihistamines.

Pregnancy
Pregnant women may become constipated due to hormonal changes. Increasing dietary fiber, fluid intake and mild exercise such as walking can help. Eating kiwifruit everyday may help to prevent constipation.

Others Possible Reasons

Too much Potty Training for children may lead to constipation problem due to pressure is put on them to pass bowel motion in the potty.

People with emotional stress may become constipated in times of worry or pressure

Some medical disease such as depression, bowel cancers, hemorrhoids or piles, diabetes or hypothyroidism can cause constipation.

Choices of Treatment

Self Care

Eating More Fiber
It’s recommended that we eat up to 30g of fiber per day. Whole grain cereals and breads, fresh fruit and vegetables all contain dietary fiber, which helps keep bowel movements regular. For some people a small addition of fiber each day will relieve constipation, however, some may need much larger amount of fiber.

Increase fiber in your diet slowly over a few weeks to avoid wind. add bran to your daily diet such as in cooking or as cereal. Bulk fiber laxatives are available from your pharmacist. They work by adding extra fiber to the diet. These need to be taken with 1 to 2 large glasses of water.

Drink at least 6-8 glasses of fluid of water a day. Increase water intake of breastfed or bottle-fed babies for a short time until the constipation is gone.

Have More Exercise
Having regular exercise like walking, particularly in the elderly is often effective in relieving constipation.

Laxatives

Constipation causing real discomfort may be relieved more quickly by laxative medicines. Laxatives come in different forms, such as, tablets liquids, suppositories or enemas. There are also many different types of laxatives including stool softeners, fiber products and bowel stimulants. Depending on the severity and duration of your symptoms, your doctor will advise you on the type of laxative best for you.

Some people who need to stay on medicines that cause constipation, will also be prescribed laxatives at the same time by their doctor to help control constipation.

Important caution need to be adhere on some laxatives as it can be habit forming if taken regularly, hence, they should only be used for short-term relief of constipation. Laxatives should not be used for weight loss. Overdose of laxatives can cause serious medical problems. Please ask your doctor for advice before taking laxatives.

When To See A Doctor

A change in bowel movements may be a signal of another illness. See your doctor if:

There are changes in your bowel motions, with either constipation or looseness, especially after the age of 40.

Constipation is not relieved by the lifestyle changes above.

Constipation becomes more severe or painful than usual.

There is blood with your motions or they are black and tar like.

You find yourself using laxatives continually