Constipation is a condition wherein the individual is having difficulty passing bowels regularly, or cannot fully pass their tools. This is a very common condition that affects 1 out of 3 children and 1 out of 7 adults. It is more prevalent in women during pregnancy and in older people.
How regular should digestion be?
Our digestive system is extremely efficient. Within only a few hours after eating, it absorbs the nutrients from the food and beverages we had, processes them into our blood, and then prepares to expel the wastes in the form of stools.
The substances will go through six meters of intestines before reaching the colon where water is extracted. After 1-2 days, the rest goes out of the body in stool form.
Digestion cycles differ from person to person. Majority of individuals expel stools roughly three times per day, three times per week. Several factors come into play with digestion, such as daily activity, age, and diet.
However, the crucial thing is to have a “regular” digestion pattern, not straining during bowel movements, and not getting constipated. The longer the waste substances stay in the colon, the harder the stools get since more water is extracted from them.
This then makes them more difficult to expel. Normal stools should neither be unusually soft nor hard.
What are its causes?
Some of the factors that contribute to constipation include the following:
- Age
- Individual circumstances
- Other medical conditions such as depression, an underactive thyroid gland, and Parkinson’s disease
- Psychological and emotional problems
- Disregarding your natural urge to go to the restroom and expel your stools, sometimes because you’re at school or work where the restroom is open to the public, and you don’t feel comfortable
- Lack of physical activity
- Not enough water or fluid intake
- Not enough fiber consumption
- Intake of certain medications, such as blood pressure medications, iron supplements, and painkillers such as codeine
- Giving formula milk for babies can make them constipated
- Routine changes, particularly during holidays, or after the holidays when school is about to resume
- Busy lifestyles
What are its symptoms?
The following are some of the common symptoms of constipation:
- Loose and almost diarrhea-like stools leaking in between regular stools
- Traces of blood in bowels resulting from anal fissures, hemorrhoids, and hard stools
- Stomach aches that are alleviated when you pass stools
- The absence of any bowel movement in at least three consecutive days
- Straining during bowel movements
- Dry, hard, and firm stools that are difficult or painful to expel
- Constipation complications
The constipation complications include the following:
- Hemorrhoids resulting from too much straining during bowel movements
- Fecal incontinence, wherein liquid bowels leak
- Fecal impaction, wherein dry, hard bowels accumulate in the rectum (this is more common in elderly people)
How can I prevent it?
The following are some steps that you could take to prevent constipation:
- Expel your stools as soon as you feel the natural urge to expel. Do not ignore it or try to contain it.
- Engage in regular physical activity
- Drink at least 6-8 glasses of water daily.
- Consume lots of dietary fiber such as grains, fruits, and vegetables.
When should I consult my doctor?
Constipation is not necessarily a serious condition, but some serious conditions can result from it and this is a list of cases you need to get medical attention immediately:
- The pain you feel during bowel movements is extreme
- You experience unintended weight loss.
- You are elderly and you have not passed stools for seven days or more, as this could be a sign of fecal impaction.
- You have been constipated for two to three weeks and experience pain in the abdomen. This could indicate lead poisoning.
- Constipation only began after starting a new supplement or medication.
Bloody stools. While this could be caused by hemorrhoids or anal fissures, blood in stools may also be a sign of bowel cancer.
Constipation is accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen and fever. The stools are also loose or thin. These could be symptoms of diverticulitis or other serious conditions.
How is it treated?
Treating constipation largely involves making changes to your lifestyle, such as the following:
- Engaging in regular physical activity
- Consuming a fiber-rich diet
- Drinking plenty of water and fluids
The use of laxatives could also help to expel bowels but they should not be used regularly. You should not be dependent on laxatives to help you pass stools. It is only for short-term use. Other medical options for treating constipation include:
- Lubiprostone – this is used for treating chronic idiopathic constipation, which is long-term and wherein the cause wasn’t determined.
- Prucalopride – this is used for treating chronic constipation in females.
Some related articles that may interest you include:
I have gastritis. What can I eat?
Home remedies to treat stomach flu
Publicpill is dedicated to providing convenient and affordable access to medications and health products. With just a few clicks, you can easily order the medications you need and have them delivered right to your doorstep.
Isotretinoin 20 mg is used to treat severe, disfiguring nodular acne. It should be used only after other acne medicines or antibiotics have been tried and have failed to help the acne. Isotretinoin may also be used to treat other skin diseases as determined by your doctor.
Accutane 10mg Capsule (Isotretinoin 10 mg) is a medication used to treat severe nodular acne in patients 12 years and older.
isotroin 20 belongs to a group of medicines called retinoids (vitamin A derivative). Isotroin 20 mg It is used to treat severe acne that has not responded to other treatments.
Bimat 0.03% Eye Drop (Bimatoprost eye drop) Bimatoprost Eye Drop Online, which is Eye Care treatment.
Nitazoxanide 500 mg tablet is used to treat diarrhea that is caused by certain types of protozoa (tiny, one-celled animals). It belongs to a group of medicines called antiprotozoals.
Nizonide 500 mg Tablet (Nitazoxanide 500 mg) Nizonide 500 Mg that’s Anthelmintics & Anti-Worm medicinal drug.
Niclosig 500 mg (Niclosamide 500 mg) Niclosamide 500 mg tablet is an enemy of helminitic prescription. It really works by Niclosig 500 mg tablet killing tapeworms that trigger contamination.
Zopifresh 7.5 Mg (Zopiclone 7.5 mg) a Zopiclone, a part of Zopifresh 7.5, will increase GABA exercise within the mind.
anxiety, sleeping & pain killer medicine range it was developed with the objective of seeking a safe, non-hallucinogenic, non-addictive.
Nervigesic 300 (Pregabalin 300 mg capsule) ,Nervigesic 300 Capsule is a medication prescribed by a physician to treat nerve pain.
Modaheal 200Mg (Modafinil 200 mg), Modaheal 200mg Tablet is used within the treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness (narcolepsy).
Ivermectin 3mg, 6mg & 12Mg is an anthelmintic. It works by interfering with the nerve and muscle functions of worms, by paralyzing and killing them. This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription. This product is available in the following dosage forms.
Vermact 12 Mg (Ivermectin 12 mg) ,Vermact 12 Mg Tablet is an antiparasitic medication. It is used to treat parasitic infections of your intestinal tract, skin, and eyes.
Retino A Micro 0.1% Gel (Tretinoin 0.1% gel), Retino A Micro 0.1% Gel is a form of vitamin A that is used to treat acne which appears as spots or pimples on your face, chest, or back.
Tacroz Forte Ointment 10Gm (Tacrolimus 0.1%) , Tacroz Forte Ointment Online is used to treat eczema (atopic dermatitis).
Flonida Cream 5% (Fluorouracil cream 5% ) ,Flonida 5% Cream is used within the treatment of certain skin problems.
Cenforce 100 Mg (Sildenafil 100 mg tablet) , Cenforce 100 Mg tablet widely used by men aged between 18 to 65 years old used to treat male dysfunction or Erectile Dysfunction.
More another related medicine are followed,
Kamagra 100 (Sildenafil)
Malegra 100 (Sildenafil)
Fildena 150 (Sildenafil)
Cenforce 100 (Sildenafil)
Tadalista 40 (Tadalafil)
Tadarise 20 (Tadalafil)
Vidalista 40 (Tadalafil)
Apcalis Oral Jelly (Tadalafil oral jelly)
Super P Force Tablet (Sildenafil + Dapoxetine)
Vilitra 40 (Vardenafil)
Zhewitra (Vardenafil)