Constipation: Symptoms and Remedies

Definition of Constipation

Constipation is difficulty or infrequently bowel movements and is a common digestive problem. In general, you may have constipation if the frequency of bowel movements less than three times a week as well as hard and dry stool. Fortunately, most cases of constipation are temporary. Simple lifestyle changes, such as exercising more, drink more and eat high-fiber, can reduce the occurrence of constipation. For some cases are chronic and needs remedies.

Symptoms of Constipation

Complain of no bowel movement in a day does not mean constipation. You may have constipation, if you have at least two of the signs and symptoms following here:

• Defecation is less than three times a week
• Hard stools
• Excessive straining during bowel movements
• Feel like clogged anus
• Sense of incomplete defecation 
• Needs to use manual actions to defecate, like massaging fingers on the lower abdomen

Causes of Constipation

Constipation most often occurs when the stool moves too slowly through the digestive tract, causes the stool becomes hard and dried. Typically, waste product of digestion (stool) is pushed through the intestines by muscle contractions. In the large intestine, most of the water and salt will be absorbed because they are important for body function. However, when there is not enough fluids, no food rich in fiber or if the colon muscle contractions slow then the stool will harden, dry and pass through the colon very slowly.

Factors that may cause slow movement of stool in the colon are:

• Inadequate fluid intake or dehydration
• Inadequate amount of fiber in consumed food
• Ignoring or delaying the urge / sensation to defecate
• Lack of physical activity (especially in older adults)
• Gestation
• Aging
• Frequent use or abuse of laxatives
• Problems with the colon and rectum such as bowel obstruction or diverticulosis
• Hemorrhoids and anal fissures which cause muscle spasms of anal sphincter

Complications

Although constipation is annoyed, but usually is not serious. If it continues, it can lead to certain complications such as:

• Hemorrhoids or fissures in the anus, may be caused when hard stool stretches the sphincter muscle
• Rectal prolapse, occurs when small amounts of rectal tissue is pushed out of the anus
• Lazy Bowel Syndrome, can occur if the frequent use of laxatives

Tests and Diagnosis

The doctor will look at your medical history and perform a physical exam and ask about all drugs consumed. Further testing is usually needed for people with severe symptoms or for parents with complaints of constipation that just happened.

Diagnostic procedures include:

• Barium enema x-ray, in this test the intestinal lining is coated with a contrast dye (barium) so that the rectum, colon and sometimes part of the small intestine can be seen clearly on x-ray
• X-ray of the anorectal area (defecography)
• Examination of the rectum, and sigmoid colon (sigmoidoscopy), this procedure will be lighted; flexible tube is inserted into the rectum to examine the rectum and lower part of the colon
• Examination of the rectum and entire colon (colonoscopy)
• Evaluation of anal sphincter muscle function (anorectal manometry)

Remedies for Constipation

In most cases, simple changes in diet and lifestyle can help relieve symptoms and manage constipation, include:

• Diets high in fiber: at least 20 to 35 grams of fiber each day; high-fiber foods for example nuts, seeds, fruits and fresh vegetables; limit foods that have little or no fiber such as cheese, meat and processed foods
  • Regular exercise: physical activity may help stimulate bowel activity
  • Sufficient fluid intake: drinking plenty of water will help soften the stool
  • Take time to defecate: do not ignore the urge to defecate
• Laxatives: use of drugs should be considered only if diet and lifestyle changes are not effective.

There are several types of laxatives:

• Fiber supplements, considered as the safest (FiberCon, Metamucil, Konsyl, and Citrucel)
• Stimulants cause rhythmic contractions in the intestine (Correctol, Dulcolax and Senokot)
• Lubricants allows stool to move through the intestine (Mineral Oil and Fleet)
• A stool softener serves to moisten the stool and helps prevent lack of fluids (Colace and Surfak)

If complaints of constipation still persist after lifestyle changes or medical treatment, the doctor may recommend a surgical procedure or manual.

Prevention

1. Consuming foods that are high in fiber, including fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grain cereals and breads from about 20 to 35 grams of fiber each day
2. Limit foods that are low in fiber such as ice cream, cheese and processed foods
3. Drink lots of water
4. Limit intake of caffeine: caffeine can worsen the symptoms of constipation by causing dehydration
5. Regular exercise such as walking, cycling or swimming to help stimulate bowel function
6. Do not ignore the urge to defecate, the longer the delay, the more water is absorbed from the feces so the stool becomes hard and tend to become constipation