Constipation treatment, causes and symptoms

Constipation treatment, causes and symptoms are necessary to understand because it is not the normal condition but a serious chronic digestive problem. It affects millions of all age people. There are many symptoms for constipation but important one is going hard faeces and that thrice in a week.

What is constipation?

It is a chronic condition of digestive system where individual will go three stools per week. Their faeces are dry, hard and difficult to pass.

Constipation causes or reasons

Low-fiber diet (particularly diets high in meat, milk, or cheese)

Dehydration or low consumption of water

Lack of exercise

Delaying the impulse to have a bowel movement

Travel or other changes in routine

Certain medications, such as high calcium antacids and pain medications, iron supplements

Pregnancy

Symptoms of constipation

Symptoms of chronic constipation include:

Passing fewer than three stools a week

Having lumpy or hard, dry stools

Straining to pass stool

Feeling like you still need to go after you have a bowel movement

Feeling like there’s a blockage in the intestines or rectum

Pain or bloating in the abdomen

Reduced appetite

Sluggishness or lethargy

Constipation treatment

Treatment for constipation usually start with diet and lifestyle changes. It may help to increase the speed at which stool moves through the intestines.

Other methods are some changes in life style and eating food habits.

High fiber intake

Eating rich fiber diet may increases the weight of your stool and speeds its passage through your intestines. Slowly begin to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables each day. Choose whole-grain breads and cereals.

Exercise

Physical activity increases muscle activity of the intestines. If you are not a regular exerciser then consult with your doctor before starting any physical activity.

Other medications

Medications that draw water into your intestines like Lubiprostone (Amitiza)

Linaclotide (Linzess)

Fiber supplements

Psyllium (Metamucil, Konsyl)

Calcium polycarbophil (FiberCon)

Methylcellulose fiber (Citrucel)

Stimulants

Correctol

bisacodyl (Ducodyl)

Dulcolax

Osmotics laxatives help fluids move through the colon

Oral magnesium hydroxide

Magnesium citrate

Lactulose (Kristalose)

Polyethylene glycol (Miralax)

Stool softeners, soften the stool by drawing water from the intestines

Docusate sodium (Colace)

Docusate calcium (Surfak)

Sometime doctor may recommend surgery to chronic constipation patients or other procedures to help treat the condition.