Constipation-Hard to Pass Stool || Dr. Nasren Nipa

 

Constipation-Hard to Pass Stool

During Constipation, food may move too slowly through the digestive tract.This gives the colon more time to absorb water from the waste.The stool becomes dry, hard, and difficult to push out through colon, rectum and anus develop constipation.Passing hard stools or straining,incomplete,painful,unsatisfactory defecation fewer than 3 times per week may called Constipation.

Constipation may be occurs due to

• Eating foods low in fiber.
• Not drinking enough water (dehydration).
• Not getting enough exercise.
• Changes in your regular routine, such as traveling or eating or going to bed at different times.
• Eating large amounts of milk or cheese.
• Stress.
• Resisting the urge to have a bowel movement.
• Irritable bowel syndrome.
• Pregnancy.
• Laxative abuse.
• Specific diseases such as colorectal cancer,Celiac disease,systemic sclerosis, stricture,rectocele.
• Neurological conditions such as Multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, spinal cord injuries.
• Side effects of medications such as opiates, diuretics, antidepressants, antihistamines, antispasmodics, anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, antiarrythmics, beta-adrenoceptor antagonists, anti-diarrheals, ondansetron,aluminum antacids,nifedipine and verapamil,calcium and iron supplements.
• Metabolic and endocrine problems such as hypercalcemia, hypothyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, porphyria, chronic kidney disease, pan-hypopituitarism, diabetes mellitus, and cystic fibrosis.

During constipation,a person may feel

• Difficulty and straining during passing of hard,dry,lumpy stool.
• 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.
• Nausea,loss of appetite.

Constipation that is accompanied by intense abdominal pain, vomiting, blood in the stool or severe bloating ,constipation that lasts longer than three weeks suggests a serious underlying health condition and require emergency medical diagnosis and treatment.

Constipation develops in newborn,children,during pregnancy and postpartum period need early diagnosis and proper treatment.

Causes of constipation may be diagnosed by proper physical examination and routine 

blood,urine and stool test.to confirm the cause,a person may need sigmoidoscopy or 

colonoscopy according to physician's advice.

Constipation may be relieved by

• Drink more water.
• Drink Prune juice,Apple juice,Pear juice.
• Drink coffee, especially caffeinated coffee.
• Try a low food map diet and high fibre diet including beans, vegetables, fruits, whole grain cereals and bran,nuts,lentils,legumes.
• Try avoiding processed foods,dairy product. 
• Eat pre biotic food such as onion,garlic,bananas,chickpeas.
• Exercise more.
• Eat probiotic foods such as yogurt or take probiotic supplements.
• Over-the-counter or prescription laxatives (Lactulose,Senna,Polyethylene glycol,Magnesium citrate),Stool softner (Docusate),Enema,Fibre supplement(Psyllium).

Complications from constipation may include hemorrhoids, anal fissure or fecal 

impaction,cystocele.

Constipation is a symptom,not a disease.A person may need specific prescription 

medications or surgery depending on the results of the physical examination and 

laboratory test.