Constipation…

Constipation is a common problem for many people .If you have suffered from this problem it is not only painful and frustrating but also hampers your daily life.Constipation means different thing to different people. For some people it means infrequently stools for other it means hard stools or strain during bowel movements but constipation is defined if you have two or more of the following for at least 3 moths:

• Hard stools more than 25% of the time
• Incomplete evacuation more than 25% of the time
• Staining during a bowel movements
• Two of few bowel movements in a week

Causes:

1. Inadequate fiber in the diet
2. Inadequate fluid intake
3. Changing the normal diet, less exercise
4. Eating large amount of meat product
5. Taking calcium supplement ,antacids
6. Stress and depression
7. Medication such as loperamide, opioids and tricyclic antidepressants
8. Hemorrhoids ,fissure, fistula in ano
9. hypothyroidism, hypokalemia , porphyria
10. Irritable bowel syndrome
11. Diabetes, colorectal cancer
12. Neurological diseases
13. Intestinal obstruction

Symptoms:

1. Difficult having bowel movements ,infrequent bowel movements
2. Painful bowel movement
3. Vomiting
4. Swollen abdomen or abdominal pain

Diagnosis:

The diagnosis is made form the

• Symptoms and physical examination (Rectal examination).
• Blood test for thyroid hormone, Calcium levels and potassium level.
• Abdominal x-ray  for intestinal obstruction
• Barium enema (Tumors and strictures)
• Colonoscopy

Management:

Diet and lifestyle changes help relives constipation in most cases,

• Eat plenty of fiber and drink plenty of fluid
• Regular exercise
• Avoids liquids that contain caffeine such as tea or coffee
• Move your bowels when you feel the urge
• Use laxatives, stimulants, osmotic, stool softeners, lubricants but sure there is no intestinal obstruction (Consult your physician)
• Treatment of specific diseases that cause the constipation

Complications:

1. Hemorrhoids
2. Anal fissure
3. Rectal prolapsed
4. Hernias

Conclusion:

It affects almost everyone at one time which is cause by poor diet and lack of exercise and in most cases simply changes in lifestyle and diet relives the symptoms however doctor may recommended medicine  for a some people with choric constipation.

References:

1. digestive.niddk.nih.gov
2. www.webmd.com
3. en.wikipedia.org
4. medicinenet.com
5. mayoclinic.com
6. www.nlm.nih.gov
7. familydoctor.org
8. gastro.org

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Tags: best treatment of constipation, cause of constipation, constipation, featured