Chronic Constipation

Do you have Problems with Constipation?​

Chronic constipation is infrequent bowel movements or difficult passage of stools that persists for several weeks or longer.​

If a person has severe symptoms or discomfort, if constipation comes on suddenly, or if symptoms get worse, they should speak to their doctor.​

'Constipation is generally described as having fewer than three bowel movements a week.'​

Though occasional constipation is very common, some people experience chronic constipation that can interfere with their ability to go about their daily tasks. Chronic constipation may also cause people to strain excessively to have a bowel movement and even may have to resort to digital evacuation.​

Treatment for chronic constipation depends in part on the underlying cause.​

SYMPTOMS​

Signs and Symptoms of Chronic Constipation include:​

+ Passing fewer than three stools a week​

+ Having lumpy or hard stools​

+Straining to have bowel movements​

+Feeling as though there's a blockage in your rectum that prevents bowel movements​

+Feeling as though you can't empty the stool from your rectum​

+Needing help to empty your rectum, such as using your hands to press on your abdomen and using a finger to remove stool from your rectum​

+Constipation may be considered chronic if you've experienced two or more of these symptoms for the last three months.​

CAUSES​

+Constipation most commonly occurs when waste or stool moves too slowly through the digestive tract or cannot be eliminated effectively from the rectum, which may cause the stool to become hard and dry. Chronic constipation has many possible causes.​

+Difficulty with the muscles involved in the elimination​

Problems with the pelvic muscles involved in having a bowel movement may cause chronic constipation. These problems may include:​

+The inability to relax the pelvic muscles to allow for a bowel movement (anismus)​

Pelvic muscles that don't coordinate relaxation and contraction correctly (dyssynergia)​

Weakened pelvic muscles​

Conditions that affect hormones in the body​

Hormones help balance fluids in your body. Diseases and conditions that upset the balance of hormones may lead to constipation, including:​

+Diabetes​

Overactive parathyroid gland (hyperparathyroidism)​

Pregnancy​

Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)​

RISK FACTORS​

Factors that may increase your risk of chronic constipation include:​

+Being an older adult​

+Being a woman​

+Being dehydrated​

+Eating a diet that's low in fiber​

+Getting little or no physical activity​

+Taking certain medications, including sedatives, opioid pain medications, some antidepressants or medications to lower blood pressure​

+Having a mental health condition such as depression or an eating disorder​

If you or someone you know has severe symptoms or discomfort, if constipation comes on suddenly, or if symptoms get worse, you should seek professional help.​

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