By absorbing water, the intestinal contents thicken faster. Then, the resulting stool decreases in volume but becomes harder.
On average, a person defecates from three times a day to three times a week. When an individual’s norm is prolonged, it may indicate constipation. Several reasons determine the frequency of stools and their characteristics. It is not necessarily related to disease, but, for example, diet. Constipation is, therefore, often harmless but may be related to certain conditions.
Symptoms of constipation
The slow movement of stool gives characteristic symptoms that are easy to recognize. There are also accompanying symptoms that often occur in addition to constipation. These are various discomforts related to the digestive system. Symptoms of constipation are as follows:
- Reduced number of defecations
- Effort during defecation
- A feeling of incomplete defecation
- Passing hard stools
- Abdominal pain
- Flatulence
- Nausea
- Lack of appetite
In the diagnosis of constipation, the frequency of bowel movements and difficulty in defecation should be evaluated. Of particular importance is the time since the last bowel movement. Often there is a feeling of incomplete defecation as if complete defecation is impossible despite effort. Additional symptoms are mainly abdominal pain and bloating. Nausea and lack of appetite may also occur.
Causes of constipation
Constipation occurs because weak muscle contractions in the colon slow the movement of the stool as it approaches the rectum. The causes of this can vary. Constipation can happen to any person, but there are certain groups of patients in whom it can occur with greater frequency. Constipation is much more common in children. The reasons for constipation include:
- Taking certain types of medications
- Unhealthy lifestyle
- Sudden changes in life
- Disorders of the digestive tract
- Diseases
- Long-term stress
- Other psychological factors
Taking certain types of medications – constipation often occurs when there are some changes in the body. Providing unusual substances that are found in medications can disrupt the digestive system. Among other things, pain-relieving drugs can contribute to constipation. Also, too frequent use of muscle relaxants can cause constipation.
Unhealthy lifestyle – this is a common and underestimated problem. First, diet influences constipation – irregular and improper nutrition increases the risk. Also, a low amount of water in the food can affect the difficulty of defecation. Lack of physical activity can contribute to constipation, as the body digests far less efficiently at rest.
Sudden life changes – Constipation can happen when we change our daily routine, such as when we travel. Changes of residence, change of diet, change of lifestyle – many changes can lead to anomalies in the digestive system. Changes are also often accompanied by stress, increasing the risk of constipation.
Gastrointestinal disorders: Constipation is a typical symptom of various diseases related to the digestive system. They occur with a variety of cancers – for example, colon cancer. The cause of constipation can also be rectal varices or ascites. Irritable bowel syndrome is a common cause of constipation.
Diseases – in other conditions, constipation is also an important symptom. They occur in nervous system diseases – such as diabetic neuropathy, cerebrovascular disease, or Parkinson’s disease. Metabolic disorders and thyroid disorders can also lead to constipation.
Long-term stress – chronic stress always reflects poorly on health. In stressful situations, the body releases stress hormones. They cause the body to divert blood flow from the intestines to vital organs – such as the heart, lungs, and brain. As a result, bowel movements become slower, and constipation can occur. Psychogenic constipation is caused by chronic emotions and stress affecting the nervous and endocrine systems.
Mental factors – mental disorders can even cause constipation. Mental state and digestive problems are highly dependent on each other. Negative emotions, such as anxiety and anger, also contribute to releasing stress hormones. Therefore, constipation can occur in depression or anxiety.
Chronic constipation
Constipation is a condition that will occur in every person at least once in their lifetime. When it is an occasional occurrence, it is not a health risk. In contrast, sometimes, constipation becomes a significant problem. This happens when they take on a chronic form. Then it is essential to determine the cause. If it cannot be eliminated, regular constipation requires an examination of the digestive tract.
Chronic constipation can usually be associated with slowed intestinal transit. But the cause can also be disease, discovered accidentally by the unpleasant symptoms of constipation. With this type of constipation, changing lifestyle and implementing treatment is necessary. Untreated chronic constipation can lead to complications and also impede daily functioning.
Complications of chronic constipation
Chronic constipation can lead to complications, so it is better not to underestimate the problem. The diagnosis of constipation should result in the immediate implementation of therapeutic management. This will minimize the risk of complications, which are as follows:
- Increased abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Disruption of drug absorption
- Obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract
Untreated constipation can give increasingly uncomfortable sensations. Abdominal pain increases, and there are problems with food intake. Nausea and vomiting may occur. Among the more severe complications is impaired drug absorption, making treatment more difficult. Meanwhile, gastrointestinal obstruction is a hazardous condition.
Treatment of constipation
In the diagnosis, it is essential to trace the patient’s medical history and examination carefully. The doctor interviews the patient to determine the cause, which is often poor diet. However, sometimes additional tests are needed. Either a blood count or a laboratory stool test is functional. In some cases, more thorough tests are required to confirm the presence of diseases.
In most cases, the first line of treatment for people suffering from chronic constipation is laxatives. Advanced diagnostic testing is only recommended if initial therapy is ineffective. Therapy includes identifying and eliminating the causes of constipation and lifestyle changes.
Prevention of constipation
To avoid constipation, one should strive to regulate one’s lifestyle, as the causal determinant of constipation can be seen in it. A proper diet and a healthy lifestyle are also recommended for treating constipation, as they increase the effects. Appropriate conditions for bowel movements – calmness and lack of haste – are also significant. The bowel movement should be calm, without excessive pushing.
Diet for constipation
Since constipation is related to the gastrointestinal tract, a proper diet is essential for its occurrence. For people suffering from constipation, products containing fiber are recommended. Therefore, vegetables, fruits, and multi-grain products should be included in the diet. Fiber travels through the entire digestive tract. It absorbs water and loosens fecal masses. As a result, it speeds up their elimination, facilitating regular bowel movements.
In addition, patients should take in large amounts of fluids. Too little daily fluid supply contributes to drying out fecal masses that lodge in the intestine. Patients should also include products containing probiotics – such as yogurt – in their diet. They positively influence intestinal function. Heavily digestible products should be avoided—for example, legumes, which aggravate constipation and excessive bloating. Chocolate containing large amounts of cocoa and alcohol should also be avoided.
Eating rules
In addition to a proper diet, you should also take care of the amount and timing of your meals. Regular meals eaten at standard times are significant. It is recommended to eat more small meals. Large ones in volume can cause gas production and lead to digestive problems. Therefore, one should not overeat at that time. Foods should be eaten slowly and thoroughly. Chew food carefully; swallowing too quickly can have an adverse effect.
Physical activity
To lead a healthy lifestyle, physical activity is essential. Also, it has a positive effect on the digestive system. It has been proven that physical activity improves intestinal motility and prevents constipation. In addition, it normalizes appetite and reduces the risk of such digestive diseases.
It can be any physical activity that you enjoy. Like walking or cycling. Staying on the move is essential so digestion will be more efficient. A sitting position is recommended if the patient has to stay in bed. Continuous lying down position can hinder digestive processes and bowel movements.
Summary
Constipation is a common problem that has many causes. Most often, harmless constipation is caused by an unhealthy lifestyle. Diet is essential for the occurrence of constipation. Difficulty in defecation is a characteristic symptom. Other discomforts, such as abdominal pain, may also accompany this.
However, constipation should not be underestimated. It is necessary to determine the cause, which may be various diseases. Chronic constipation can also be a severe problem. This type of constipation can lead to complications.
Constipation therefore requires treatment. Most often, laxatives are initially administered. If this does not help, other therapies are used. Constipation involves lifestyle changes, especially diet. It is recommended to consume large amounts of fiber.
Sources
- Jean-Louis Vincent, Jean-Charles Preiser (2015). Getting critical about constipation.
https://med.virginia.edu/ginutrition/wp-content/uploads/sites/199/2014/06/Parrish-August-15.pdf - Umar Hayat, Mohannad Dugum, Samita Garg (2017). Chronic constipation: update on management.
https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Chronic-constipation%3A-Update-on-management-Hayat-Dugum/cb4d5b0a7bce315b2e49767f0eca8ce362838be5?p2df - A.A. Amir (2011). Etiological factors of constipation in the elderly, with emphasis on functional causes.
https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/118288 - Sun Hwan Bae (2014). Diets for Constipation.
https://synapse.koreamed.org/articles/1080815 - Bodil Ohlsson, Jonas Manjer (2016). Physical inactivity during leisure time and irregular meals are associated with functional gastrointestinal complaints in middle-aged and elder subjects.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00365521.2016.1209786
