What is constipation and how to get rid of it

March 11, 2024 Abdullah Arif

Constipation is usually called difficult bowel movements, in which there are difficulties with bowel movements. But one-time problems with going to the toilet, even if they last a day or two, are not constipation. More precisely, it’s not the shape that’s worth worrying about.

Doctors usually talk about constipation when bowel movements occur less than three times a week or when characteristic symptoms occur. And chronic is considered an option in which symptoms persist for three months or longer.

Table of Contents

How to recognize constipation

In addition to how often you go to the toilet, constipation can be identified by one or more additional symptoms. This:

hard stool that comes out in small lumps;
straining during bowel movements;
feeling as if there is some kind of obstruction in the rectum that interferes with bowel movements;
the feeling that even after a successful trip to the toilet you were not able to completely get rid of the contents of the rectum;
bloating ;
abdominal pain;

If you are caring for someone who is unable to manage or talk about constipation (for example, a child or person with dementia), monitor for any changes in behavior. This way you can help in a timely manner.

What are the causes of constipation

Fortunately, in most cases, constipation, especially one-time constipation, is not associated with dangerous diseases. Here are the most common causes of bowel problems.

1. Lack of fluid

Normal stool is approximately 75% water. And its deficiency leads to the formation of too dense stool, which is difficult to pass.

An unhealthy diet may also be to blame for constipation . Most often this happens if a person eats little in the way of lettuce . It absorbs water, making the stool softer and easier to move through the intestines. We get fiber from vegetables, fruits, cereals, whole grain bread, and bran.

A large amount of fat in the diet is also harmful – it takes longer to digest and reduces the secretion of mucus in the intestines, which causes constipation.

2. Sedentary lifestyle

Lack of physical activity reduces muscle tone, including those directly responsible for regular bowel movements. The more you sit or lie, the higher your risk of constipation.

3. Stress

Especially protracted. It has a multifactorial connection with constipation : stress worsens digestion, and also provokes a person to an unhealthy lifestyle (less sleep, more fast food and snacks on the go, coffee instead of water and the required amount of fluid in general).

4. Taking certain medications

Constipation can be caused by medications such as:

antidepressants;
sedatives – tranquilizers and sedatives;
dietary supplements that contain iron;
antispasmodics;
diuretics (diuretics);
anticholinergic (cholinolytic) drugs – these drugs block cholinergic receptors, which weakens the functioning of the intestinal muscles; they are most often prescribed to people with dementia ;
calcium channel blockers – medications that are necessary for the treatment of heart and vascular diseases;
anticonvulsants;
laxatives – if used on a regular basis.

5. Travel

Whether we like it or not, trips, especially long ones, disrupt our usual diet and daily routine. Sometimes this can affect bowel function.

6. The habit of ignoring the urge to go to the toilet

If you suffer too often (due to a meeting, a social gathering, a lack of a restroom nearby), it can become a habit. The body simply stops feeling the need to go to the toilet on time. And it calls you there only when your intestines are already full.

Clumped stool is a sure way to constipation.

7. Eating disorders

With anorexia , bulimia and other eating disorders, a person does not receive the necessary nutrients and moisture. The consequence of this is regular constipation.

8. Diseases

Diseases and conditions that can cause constipation are:

neurological disorders – Parkinson’s disease , spinal cord injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis;
metabolic and endocrine disorders – hypothyroidism, diabetes or chronic kidney disease;
systemic diseases, such as scleroderma;
bowel cancer;

9. Aging

As we age, muscle tone decreases and regular constipation is an expected consequence of this. It is especially important for older people to remain physically active.

10. Pregnancy

Expectant mothers often suffer from constipation due to hormonal changes or because the enlarged uterus puts pressure on the intestines and makes it difficult to move stool.

When to see a doctor

If you are taking medications that may cause constipation, talk to your doctor. Most likely, your specialist will suggest that you stop using them, change the dose, or switch to another drug.

And consult a therapist, gastroenterologist or proctologist as soon as possible if:

constipation occurs regularly or lasts more than two weeks;
you observe blood in the stool passed;
chronic constipation arose, at first glance, simply like this: you did not change your diet and lifestyle;
constipation is accompanied by bursting pain, abdominal cramps and a feeling as if you cannot pass gas;
against the background of regular constipation, you lose weight, although there seems to be no reason for this;
the size, shape and consistency of your stool have changed radically;
Every bowel movement is accompanied by pain.

At your appointment, the doctor will ask you to talk in detail about your symptoms and then conduct an examination. Already at this stage, a specialist can give the first recommendations. But in order to more accurately determine the causes of the problem and make a diagnosis, some research will be needed. It can be :

Blood test for hormone levels. Hormonal disorders, such as diabetes and hypothyroidism, change the amount of fluid in the body, which can cause constipation.
Tests that will help determine the condition of the anus muscles and the nerve endings that control them.
Tests to show how stool moves through the large intestine. They allow you to exclude or establish the presence of tumors.
Colonoscopy is an instrumental test to look for blockages in the colon. Helps diagnose intestinal obstruction, scars on its inner surface or cancer.

How to get rid of constipation

If constipation is a one-time occurrence and there are no unpleasant symptoms listed above, it is not difficult to overcome it. It is important to empty your bowels quickly.

To do this, you can do an enema. Wash your hands, pour warm drinking water into the pear and lie on your side. Bend your upper leg at the knee, insert the enema spout into the anus about 7 cm deep and slowly introduce water into the intestines. More detailed instructions are available in a separate article .

An important point: enema is not safe for everyone. Before doing it, it is better to consult a doctor.

You can also take a short-term course of mild laxatives – these are not always medications. There are several different types :

Forming the volume of feces. These are mainly fiber supplements – psyllium, plantain isfagula, sterculia. You should drink plenty of fluids while taking these laxatives.
They cause contraction of the intestinal muscles, which facilitates the movement of feces.
Stool softeners. Such products contain glycerin, paraffin, petroleum jelly, olive oil, sodium docusate – these substances impregnate and soften the stool to make it easier for it to pass.

Coffee may also help some people : it works as a mild laxative. Drink an Americano or espresso or add milk – lactose will enhance the effect.

Let us repeat: for chronic constipation, it is better not to self-medicate, but to go to the doctor. After examination and diagnosis, the specialist will prescribe the necessary medications. These could be, for example, stronger laxatives or medications for the underlying disease. In addition, in some cases, for example, with stagnation of feces, mechanical removal may be required: this should be done by a medical professional.

What to do to prevent constipation from returning

To do this, you need to make several changes to your usual lifestyle.

Drink two to four additional glasses of water (fruit juice, compote, tea, juices) daily. In this case, be sure to drink a glass of warm water in the morning.
Eat vegetables and fruits. For example, get into the habit of including a salad in your lunch menu, and adding an apple, a pear, and a handful of dried fruits to your breakfast and dinner.
Eat bran. They are delicious if you add a couple of spoons to a glass of low-fat kefir or yogurt. Please note that you should avoid bran in case of exacerbations of gastritis , ulcers, colitis and infectious enteritis, as well as in cases of diagnosed vitamin deficiency.
Reduce the amount of meat and dairy products, as well as drinks with high caffeine content. When consumed in excess, this substance hasa diuretic effect, reducing the amount of fluid in the body.
Never ignore the urge to run to the toilet.
Exercise at least three times a week. And be sure to walk every day. The more often you move, the better your muscles feel—including your intestinal muscles.
Do not takelaxatives for prevention. With long-term use, the intestinal muscles “forget” how to move feces independently. Because of this, stool stagnation may occur. But there will be no benefit – the intestines do not need cleansing to work properly.

It is also worth improving toilet hygiene. To do this, don’t take your phone with you to the restroom and learn how to poop correctly : you need to sit so that your knees are higher than your hips. To make it more convenient, you can add a special footrest. Try to relax during the process – excessive tension can lead to pain, rectal bleeding or rectal prolapse.