What Is Constipation?
Constipation is a condition whereby the number of bowel movements per week is below three. Stool may be hard, dry or painful to pass and one may be bloated or feel that they have not emptied their bowels.
Usual Cause and Risk Factors
- Poor nutrition (diet low in fiber i.e., fruits, vegetables, whole grains, etc.)
- Poor intake of fluids such as failure to drink enough water.
- Lack of physical exercise or a sedentary lifestyle.
- Some drugs (e.g., pain medications, Levodopa, some antidepressants)
- The urge to pass a bowel is ignored or deferred.
- Changes caused by age of gut motility (more frequent in older people)
- Changes in hormones (i.e., change in pregnancy)
- Hypothyroidism, diabetes, neurological disorders are underlying conditions.
Signs and Symptoms
- Difficulty in bowel movement.
- Hard, dry, or lumpy stools
- Feeling of an incomplete evacuation.
- Abdominal gastric distension or pain.
- Pain or cramps in the lower abdomen.
- Lower-back pressure or ache
Expert Treatment for Constipation by Dr. Bharat Pothuri
Dr. Pothuri uses a step-by-step approach:
Medical History and Symptom Review
He inquires of the frequency of bowel-movement, of the nature of bowel-stool, of dietary practices, of intake of liquids, of medications used and any abdominal or rectal discomfort.
Physical Examination
He does a tender abdominal assessment to test distention or pain and a digital rectal assessment to determine tonality and obstruction.
Stool Diary and Charting
You can be requested to maintain a 7-day diary of your bowel movements, the consistency of stool (Bristol Stool Scale) and accompanying symptoms.
Imaging and Functional Tests
- Abdominal X-ray or Sitz-marker transit study to evaluate stool burden and colonic motility.
- Anorectal manometry to measure rectal pressures, sphincter function and muscle coordination.
- Colonoscopy (when indicated) to rule out structural lesions, strictures or colonic disease.
Advanced Testing (if needed)
Defecatory mechanics In suspected obstructive defecation, a balloon-expulsion test or defecography is performed to determine and describe the visualization and measurement of defecatory mechanics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does constipation result in back pain?
Yes. Lower back may be influenced by pressure in the belly.
How many normal bowel movements do you have?
Three times a week or three times a day will be considered normal.
Which food should I consume as more fibre?
The good ones are oatmeal, apples with skin on them, lentils, broccoli, whole grain bread and chia seeds.
What should be the level of intake of Miralax?
The amount for most adults is 17 grams a day. Do not overdose unless prescribed to do so by your physician.
Is magnesium citrate safe?
Yes, if used the right way. It shifts quickly, thus it should be used only when necessary and you should stay hydrated.
When should I see a doctor?
The symptoms should not last over two weeks, and the patient should report pains, appearance of blood in the stool, and unexplained weight loss, which are reasons to see a doctor immediately.