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What is constipation?
About four million Americans have constipation. Constipation is responsible for about 2.5 million physician visits in a year. This symptom is mostly found in kids and elderly and it occurs more frequently in females than males. It is more prevalent in African Americans. People have different habits for their bowel movements. It can range from three bowel movements a day to three bowel movements a week.
On the whole, constipation is defined as having at least 2 of the following symptoms for at least 3 months and onset of symptoms for at least 6 months preceding diagnosis:
Abdominal pressure at least 25% of the time
Hard stools at least 25% of the time
Feeling of unfinished evacuation at least 25% of the time
Feeling of anorectal jam at least 25% of the time
Physical effort or pelvic floor support for defecation at least 25% of the time
Less than 3 defecations/week
What are causes of constipation?
There are many factors which can affect people's bowel movements. Following are the most common causes:
Old age: As people age, their digestive function declines. Elderly people are on multiple medications and have many diseases, which can also lead them to constipation.
Diet high in fat and sugar such as cheese, milk, and other dairy products: Such low fiber diet clogs the intestine and decreases stool movement through the bowels.
Sedentary life style: Lack of exercise and immobility tend to increase constipation.
Pregnancy: In pregnancy, due to change in hormone levels and increased uterus size, more women tend to have constipation.
Medication side effects: Many medications such as antidepressants, opiods, anticholinergics, diuretics, antidiarrheals, calcium channel blockers, calcium and magnesium antacids, and psychotropic drugs
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have constipation as one of their side effects.
Underlying medical conditions: Diseases such as hypothyroidism, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, colon cancer, and irritable bowel syndrome can lead to constipation.
Inadequate fluid intake: When people don't drink enough water or fluids in their diet, their bowel function declines.
Laxative misuse: Many times, people take laxatives more often they need. They get in the habits of taking them, which changes their regular bowel rhythms and they are more prone to constipation.
Disregard for the impulse for bowel movements: People with busy life styles and work overload are more susceptible to constipation. Their bowel movements become one of their last priorities and they develop constipation over time.
What are preventive measures for constipation?
High fiber diet such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
Exercise such as rapid walking and running
Increased fluid intake: On average, eight glasses of water/fluid intake is considered optimal for overall health.
Consistent schedule for bowel movements and meals
Which remedies are available to treat constipation?
Fiber: Fiber absorbs fluid and provides volume and softness. This action aids stool to move through the digestive tract. Examples:
Psyllium (Metamucil®
Methylcellulose (Citrucel®)
Calcium polycarbophil (FiberCon®)
Wheat dextrin (Benefiber®)
Inulin (Fibersure®)
Stimulants: They irritate and stimulate the digestive tract. This helps in bowel rhythm and movement. Examples:
Bisacodyl (pills: Correctal®, Dul
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colax®; suppositories: Fleet®, Dulcolax®)
Senna/sennosoides (Ex-Lax®, Fletcher's®, Senna Smooth®)
Emollients/Stool softeners: They lubricate and reduce hardness of stool; and finally ease through the bowels. Examples:
Docusate sodium (Kaopectate®)
Mineral oil
Osmotic agents: They pull out water/fluid into the digestive tract and make stool soggy, so it moves forward. Examples:
Polyethylene glycol (MiraLax®)
Glycerin suppositories (Fleet®)
Magnesium sulfate (Phillips' Milk of Magnesia®, Epsom salt®)
Magnesium citrate
When to refer to your doctor?
Inexplicable weight loss
Severe abdominal pain
Thin, pencil-like stools
Have symptoms for more than 3 weeks
For more information, visit this website: www.medicinenet.com/constipation/article.htm.
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