What Does Constipation Feel Like?

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Overview

Constipation is when you have stools that are hard to pass, you don’t feel like you pass all of your stool, or there are four or more days between one bowel movement and the next.

Constipation can make you feel constantly bloated or uncomfortable. You may also experience harmful side effects, such as bowel obstructions, due to chronic constipation.

An estimated 15 percent of Americans experience problems with constipation.

This article will explore what constipation can feel like and things you can do for it, including if you’re pregnant or have hemorrhoids.

It might help to first look at the path your food takes when it’s being digested.

The digestive tract extends from your mouth to your rectum. Some of the main organs involved in digestion are the:

• stomach
• small intestine
• large intestine, where stool ultimately exits via the rectum

Along each point of the gastrointestinal tract, nutrients are absorbed and the wastes from food breakdown are ultimately released from the body.

Special motions including churning in the stomach and peristalsis (a rhythmic movement) in the intestines help to propel food material forward through the digestive tract.

The softer and bulkier the stool is, the more likely it is to activate the movements of the intestines and move forward. When it’s time for you to go to the bathroom, muscles in your pelvic floor work together to help push stool out of the rectum.

Constipation can happen due to one or more breakdowns of the expected pathway where stool is excreted.

These can include slow-moving stool, hard stools, or experiencing a problem with the muscles and nerves needed to pass a bowel movement.

As a result, constipation can “feel” like many symptoms. Examples include:

• fullness in the stomach or pelvic region
• cramping of the bowels
• feeling like stool remains in the rectum but cannot pass
• feelings of heaviness or discomfort in the stomach and abdominal regions
• aching feeling in the back

Sometimes it’s difficult to distinguish between discomfort in your stomach and intestines. You might feel cramping or bloating in your intestines that pushes upward on your stomach.

As a result, you could feel stomach discomfort while the area of constipation is really in your intestines.

Sometimes constipation can be a medical emergency.

Go for medical treatment right away if you experience any of the following:

• blood in the stool that is more than a small amount
• dark or tar-colored stools
• severe abdominal pain

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Seek immediate medical advice and treatment if you experience the following:

• symptoms don’t get better or they become worse even after trying self-care measures at home, including laxatives
• continued pain after trying to have bowel movements or pain that gets worse
• constipation that alternates with diarrhea

These symptoms can be a sign of bleeding in the digestive tract or that you are experiencing an intestinal blockage. These can be life-threatening emergencies.

Constipation treatments can range from lifestyle to medication treatments. If you have an obstruction or scarring that is blocking the movement of your stool, you may require surgery.

Some at-home, self-care measures you can use to reduce the incidence of constipation include:

• Drinking plenty of water to where your urine should be pale yellow in color.
• Eating at least 25 grams of fiber a day through sources such as vegetables, whole grains, and fruits.
• Engaging in regular physical activity, such as walking, riding a bicycle, or dancing. These physical activity elements can mimic the natural movement of the stool and help stool move more quickly.
• Talking to your doctor about medications you may be taking that affect constipation. However, you shouldn’t stop taking your medicines without talking to your doctor first.

There are also over-the-counter (OTC) medications that can ideally reduce constipation, such as fiber supplements.

Pregnant women experience constipation at a higher rate than the general population. An estimated 11 to 38 percent of pregnant women have problems with constipation.

Some of the factors that make it more likely pregnant women will have constipation include:

• increased progesterone levels and reduced hormones called motilin that slow intestinal movement
• increased water absorption in the intestines that causes stool to dry out
• increased calcium and iron supplements that can increase constipation risk
• enlarged uterus that presses on the intestines, slowing their movement
• decreased physical activity

Constipation may be difficult to recognize initially if you’re pregnant because you may be uncertain your symptoms are related to pregnancy. Examples could include bloating or feelings of abdominal fullness and pressure.

When you’re pregnant, you can’t take the same medications you did when you weren’t expecting, due to concerns the medicines could affect the baby.

Also, there isn’t a lot of data about the safety of using laxatives to promote bowel movements during pregnancy.

However, some treatments that do not seem to be associated with adverse side effects include:

• bulk-forming agents (although these can cause gas, cramping, and bloating in some pregnant women)
• lubricant laxatives, such as mineral oil
• stool softeners, such as docusate sodium (Colace)

Sometimes laxatives can lead to electrolyte imbalances that could cause you to feel ill and potentially affect your baby.

For this reason, it’s important that if you’re pregnant you take these medications for a short time and try lifestyle techniques, such as more fiber, increased water intake, and more physical activity (if tolerated).

Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels that occur inside or outside the rectum. They can bleed and make bowel movements painful to pass.

This can be especially difficult if you have hemorrhoids with constipation because your bowel movements already may pass more slowly or be hard to pass. The combination of the two conditions can make going to the bathroom an extremely unpleasant experience.

However, if you’re constipated and have hemorrhoids, you shouldn’t try to put off going to the bathroom when the urge hits. Doing so can put further strain on the bowels and worsen hemorrhoids when you ultimately do pass the stool.

When you have hemorrhoids, changing the position of your body when you use the bathroom may help reduce pressure on the rectum. An example could be planting your feet on a small step stool as you go to the bathroom. This may make stool easier to pass.

Treating constipation with hemorrhoids

Taking steps to treat both your constipation and hemorrhoids can help reduce the incidence of both conditions. Examples include:

• Cleansing the anal area gently and thoroughly after going to the bathroom. Some people may find using baby wipes or rinsing the area may help.
• Drinking plenty of water to make stool less hard.
• Applying anti-inflammatory creams (e.g. steroids like OTC Preparation H) to the area to reduce itching and skin irritation.
• Eating a high-fiber diet, such as fruits, vegetables, and cereals to help add bulk to stool naturally and make it easier to pass.

If you continue to have problems with hemorrhoids, including blood in your stool, talk to your doctor.

Constipation can result from several underlying reasons. These can include:

• aging
• diabetes
• dietary changes, such as lower fiber or not drinking enough fluids
• history of colon surgery
• history of gastrointestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome
• history of pelvic floor disorders
• intestinal obstructions
• pregnancy

It can also result from taking certain medications, such as:

• aluminum- and calcium-containing antacids
• anticonvulsants
• calcium channel blockers
• diuretics
• iron supplements
• narcotic pain medications
• medicines used to treat Parkinson’s disease

Sometimes, the movement of the colon slows for no known reason and constipation results.

Whether temporary or chronic, constipation can be an unpleasant occurrence whose symptoms don’t always happen where and when you think they will.

Fortunately, most instances of constipation can resolve with at-home, self-care measures. If your symptoms don’t resolve or you experience pain and bleeding, call a doctor.

If you have fewer than three bowel movements a week combined with difficulty with your bowel movements or other discomfort, it may be worthwhile to talk to a doctor.

Are you constipated? How to tell if you are constipated?

Dr. Khawaja Azimuddin | 02/15/2022

At least 2.5 million people see their doctor each year due to constipation.

Having fewer than three bowel movements a week is, the definition of constipation. However, how often you “go” varies widely from person to person. Some people have bowel movements several times a day while others have them only one to two times a week. Everyone is different and going to restroom twice a day or two times a week may just be normal for you. But if your constipation is severe or accompanied by pain, bloating or bleeding call your doctor immediately.

Constipation can have causes that aren’t due to underlying disease. Examples include dehydration, lack of dietary fiber, physical inactivity, or medication side effects. But if your constipation is persistent then see your doctor

Simple remedies:

• Treatment of constipation starts with the realization that you do not need to have a bowel movement every day! Constipation is defined as less than 3 bowel movements a week.
• Use high fiber diet. In addition you may use Metamucil, konsyl, psyllium, citrucel with large amounts of water.
• Increase fluid intake, drink plenty of water.
• Avoid fast foods, fries, and cheese.
• Take a large breakfast with a 16 oz glass of water and go to the restroom. Try to establish a routine of going to the restroom every morning.
• Never ignore nature’s call. Whenever you have an urge to go, do not try to suppress it.
• A visit to the rest room should be short and sweet! Do not read a magazine on the toilet seat, concentrate on what you are doing. Do not prolong unsuccessful attempts to defecate. It is a good idea not to spend more than 10 minutes on the throne!
• It is not a good idea to strain or bear down for a bowel movement. In fact this can lead to all sorts of complications in your pelvic area. Please try to avoid any urges to push down for a bowel movement. If you do have to push, squeeze your ABS to push, not the pelvic floor muscles.
• Exercise every day, walking and jogging will help you establish a routine.
• Pelvic floor exercises: Kegel type exercises can sometimes help relax your pelvic floor muscles and facilitate a bowel movement. First tighten up your pelvic floor muscles and then relax. Spend a long time and concentrate on the relaxation part. Do this exercise 20 times.
• Maintain a diary, pencil down every time you have a bowel movement and bring it to the doctor for your next visit.

www.colonsurgeonhouston.com

Khawaja Azimuddin M.D. & Tal Raphaeli M.D. & Jean Knapps M.D.

1125 Cypress Station Dr, Suite G, Houston TX 77090

Tel: 281-583 1300  Fax: 281-583 1303

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Dr. Khawaja Azimuddin
Spring Office
Constipation

* All information subject to change. Images may contain models. Individual results are not guaranteed and may vary.

Constipation in adults: causes, treatment

Constipation is a consequence of bowel dysfunction, most often due to a monotonous diet, or frequent use of fast food, and also due to a sedentary lifestyle. Constipation can be recognized in the initial phase, when there are primary difficulties in emptying the bowels and a violation of the regular frequency of stools. If constipation does not go away within 48 hours, then it is chronic. In such cases, the presence of serious diseases of the body can be suspected. Sometimes the problem can be caused by hemorrhoids or depression.

Causes of constipation

1) Organic constipation occurs due to the use of drugs (most often antidepressants, diuretics and drugs containing calcium) or due to pathological changes in the intestines.

2) Toxic constipation occurs due to poisoning, for example, if a person works in a hazardous industry, because lead and mercury are most often the cause of such a problem. In the first case, the pressure rises, weakness appears and the stomach begins to hurt, and in the second case, the head may ache, insomnia will appear, control over the body and sense organs is lost. With thallium poisoning, mental problems appear.

3) The causes of endocrine constipation are: diabetes mellitus, accompanied by thirst, itching and bloating, as well as hypothyroidism, which brings low blood pressure, weakness and deterioration of the hair and skin.

4) With problems of electrolyte metabolism, weakness and swelling, neurological diseases, Hirschsprung’s disease, changes in the structure of the anus occur. All of them are accompanied by constipation.

5) Reflex constipation is associated with digestive problems. Pain in the upper abdomen indicates an ulcer, in the right hypochondrium – chronic cholecystitis, which appears in connection with the use of fatty foods and is accompanied by vomiting.

6) Constipation can be caused by parasitic worms. In this case, you can skip the development of the disease, as it passes without visible symptoms. You can detect this by certain symptoms: if you have been feeling worse for a long time, frequent weakness of the body, pain and bloating, and sometimes asthma with skin rashes, then you should contact a specialist to get tested and identify the causes of this condition your body.

7) If none of the causes fits these definitions, then it is functional constipation, which is associated with impaired brain function. For example, it can occur due to depression, or due to the stress of lifestyle changes.

8) Alimentary constipation occurs only due to the lack of a varied and balanced diet.

9) Hypodynamic constipation occurs solely due to a sedentary lifestyle.

Examination for constipation

In order to correctly diagnose the cause of constipation, a number of tests are required: a blood test reveals diabetes and inflammation; Ultrasound determines problems with the digestive system; colonoscopy helps to see the presence of pathological processes.

Simple treatments for constipation

You can use laxatives prescribed by your doctor.

The best way to treat is to reconsider your diet and lifestyle: go in for sports or gymnastics, switch to a balanced and varied diet.

Which doctor to contact for constipation

First of all, it is necessary to consult a general practitioner or gastroenterologist, because due to the complexity of diagnosis, each patient requires a different approach.

If you have symptoms such as fever, weakness, loss of appetite or abdominal pain, you should never hesitate to see a doctor. You should immediately contact a specialist to avoid a relapse.

Treatment of constipation – symptoms, diagnosis, treatment of constipation and obstipation – Doctor Nearby Clinic

If you have more than 80% of the listed symptoms, we strongly recommend that you consult a doctor for advice.

Constipation is a digestive disorder that is expressed in defecation disorders, characterized by difficult, slow or insufficient bowel movements. Medical synonyms for this designation sound like “constipation” and “obstipation”. According to the WHO, constipation is an independent disease, but many gastroenterologists consider it to be a clinical manifestation.

Today, this indigestion is one of the most common. It can lead to the development of serious proctological pathologies, therefore, it requires timely adoption of corrective measures. Properly treated constipation can improve the quality of life of patients and eliminate the development of much more serious complications.

Most often, constipation affects young children and patients over the age of sixty (both men and women). They experience a condition in which the delay in defecation is more than two days, the feces are dry and hard, and there is no feeling of emptying the intestines after the act of defecation.

At the same time, it is important to understand that the normal frequency of bowel movements is from 3 times a day to 3 times a week. However, some patients mistakenly believe that it should happen every day and seek medical help when they are healthy.

Constipation classification

Constipation is classified according to different criteria. They, as well as the types of constipation and their features are presented in our table below.

Causes of chronic constipation

The reasons for the development of this syndrome can be different, as you can see by reading our table above. The most common of these is an unbalanced diet, in which the diet does not contain enough dietary fiber and fluid. Other reasons contributing to the development and need for treatment of constipation include:

• Systematic suppression of the urge to defecate due to the need to comply with bed rest, long trips, busy work schedule;
• Frequent use of laxatives due to the fact that the patient considers his normal bowel habits not frequent enough;
• Violation of the motor activity of the intestines and disorders of the stool against the background of stress;
• Intestinal obstruction due to the presence of polyps, neoplasms, adhesions and scars in it, or due to narrowing of its lumen – stricture;
• Psychological fear of defecation due to pathological conditions of the rectum, which are characterized by intense pain symptoms: fissures, hemorrhoids, inflammation.

Constipation occurs five times more often in elderly patients than in younger ones. This is due to the fact that the production of digestive enzymes that are part of the intestinal microflora decreases with age.

Clinical manifestations of constipation

The symptoms of constipation in adults are varied and depend on the causes that caused them, although it is not uncommon for a patient to complain only of constipation. It is diagnosed if the act of defecation occurs less frequently than once every two to three days. The process itself is quite tense and difficult, the feces are dense and dry.

It is not uncommon for constipation to be accompanied by severe pain and a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen, which are significantly relieved after defecation and gas release. As for other clinical manifestations, they may be as follows:

• loss of appetite;
• halitosis;
• frequent eructations;
• sleep disorders.

Constipation diagnostics

Before you start treating constipation at home, be sure to consult a gastroenterologist. Manipulations will be more effective if the cause of the development of the syndrome is established. First of all, the diagnosis is aimed at determining the form of the disease: chronic or acute. In addition, the specialist collects an anamnesis and finds out if there is a connection between the patient’s lifestyle and the development of obstirpation.

An examination by a gastroenterologist will be aimed at determining the presence / absence of bloating of the intestine, as well as palpation of its contents. A proctological examination will reveal whether the patient has anal fissures, hemorrhoids, or intestinal neoplasms.

Further diagnosis directly depends on the results of primary examinations and general tests, depending on what exactly is found or not found in the patient. It may include the following instrumental studies:

• colonoscopy;
• rectoscopy;
• anorectal manometry;
• electrogastroenterography.

Treatment of constipation in adults

Treatment of constipation (especially chronic) is not limited to taking laxatives. However, even these drugs should be prescribed by the attending physician, since self-medication in this case is unacceptable, because constipation can be a clinical manifestation of a serious pathological condition.

The correct intake of laxatives gives a good result, however, with prolonged use, addiction and loss of independent urge to defecate are observed. It is important that the choice of funds is made by the attending physician on an individual basis, based on the testimony of the patient. There are two groups of drugs with laxative effects, the features of which can be found in our table below:

In addition to taking laxatives, the patient is advised to adhere to a special diet that excludes the consumption of foods that contribute to the development of constipation. It should include substances that, on the contrary, contribute to bowel emptying:

• Rye bread, bran bread;
• Fresh fruits and vegetables;
• Dried fruits;
• Dairy products;
• Kashi;
• Fish oil;
• Other.

The preparation of the diet is carried out on an individual basis, based on the results of the diagnosis and the testimony of the patient.