While symptoms of constipation alone is not always a clear indication for a call to the doctor, severe or new-onset constipation, rectal bleeding, severe abdominal pain and/or other acute symptoms should prompt a doctor’s visit. Also, more chronic constipation might need a formal diagnosis and treatment by a physician.
Read on to find out more about what may cause constipation, as well as how it is diagnosed and treated.
Being too sedentary can also bind up the bowels, which is a problem for people who are disabled or bedridden and unable to walk around or get exercise.
Many different diseases and conditions can also contribute to the development of constipation. Diseases that affect the nervous system, the endocrine system and the digestive tract may all lead to constipation.
Constipation from medications is another common problem. A wide variety of prescription drugs can contribute to constipation. Narcotics, which increase the amount of water absorbed in the bowel, are often implicated in causing constipation because they are so widely prescribed for many conditions.
In general, constipation is having infrequent bowel movements (more than three days between) that are hard and dry in consistency and are difficult to pass. But for many, six bowel movements a week could also fit the definition of constipation. People who do not have any difficulty defecating (because of hard, dry stools) also may describe themselves as being constipated, even if they move their bowels on a regular basis.
Tests can range from blood tests to a colonoscopy. If there is an underlying cause, treating that problem may help bring some relief.
In many cases, because constipation is caused by a lack of fiber in the diet, eating more fiber can often reverse the problem. A daily walk or other forms of exercise may also be helpful.
If your constipation is not responding to these simple methods, which can be done at home without a physician, bulk-forming laxatives might be the next step to getting the bowels moving again.
In some cases, stimulant laxatives or enemas may be used on a short-term basis, but they are not recommended for long-term use because they can be habit-forming.
Alternative remedies include biofeedback, relaxation techniques, and bowel retraining. These methods have less research behind them, but they can be started at any time and used along with other treatments.
Ultimately, the treatment for constipation will depend heavily on what is causing the problem in the first place. Constipation from disease or a problem with the bowel may not respond until the underlying cause is treated.
