Constipation
What is constipation?
Constipation is infrequent bowel movements or difficult passage of stools that persists for several weeks or longer. Constipation happens because your colon absorbs too much water from waste, which dries out the stool making it hard in consistency and difficult to push out of the body. Constipation is caused by:
- Eating a low-fiber diet
- Dehydration
- Lack of exercise
- Changes in diet or routine
- Eating large amounts of milk or cheese
- Stress
- Taking medications that cause constipation (pain meds, NSAIDs, antidepressants, antacids, iron pills, allergy medications, certain blood pressure medications)
Constipation can lead to other medical issues:
- Hemorrhoids: Swollen veins in your anus and lower rectum, similar to varicose veins.
- Anal Fissures: A small tear in the thin, moist tissue (mucosa) that lines the anus.
- Diverticulitis: An infection in pouches that form off the colon wall from stool that has become trapped.
- Fecal Impaction: A pile-up of too much stool in the rectum and anus.
- Stress Urinary Incontinence: Damage to the pelvic floor muscles from straining to move bowels, causing urine to leak from the bladder.
What are the symptoms of constipation?
Symptoms of constipation include:
- Stools that are dry, hard, and/or lumpy
- Stools that are difficult or painful to pass
- Cramps, bloating, nausea
- The feeling that you haven’t completely emptied your bowels
How is constipation treated?
Dr. Meyerson will do a sigmoidoscopy to look in your anus with a flexible lighted tube called a sigmoidoscope to determine if the constipation is causing other medical issues. Mild to moderate constipation can usually be treated with a high-fiber diet, increased hydration, more exercise, and an over-the-counter stool softener. Medication can also be used to treat constipation. Surgery is only necessary if there is a blockage in the colon.