12/11/2025
CONSTIPATION
🧠 Constipation Overview
Constipation is a common digestive condition where a person has infrequent, difficult, or painful bowel movements. Typically, having fewer than three bowel movements per week may indicate constipation.
⚠️ Causes
Constipation can result from lifestyle factors, medical conditions, or medications.
1. Lifestyle Causes
Low-fiber diet (little intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains)
Inadequate water intake
Lack of physical activity or prolonged bed rest
Ignoring the urge to pass stool
Change in routine (e.g., travel, pregnancy)
2. Medical Causes
Hypothyroidism
Diabetes
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Neurological conditions (e.g., Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury)
Intestinal obstruction or tumors
A**l fissures or hemorrhoids (pain leads to stool withholding)
3. Medication-Related Causes
Opioid painkillers (e.g., codeine, morphine)
Iron supplements
Antacids containing calcium or aluminum
Antidepressants (especially tricyclics)
Antihypertensives (e.g., calcium channel blockers)
👉 Symptoms
Common signs and symptoms include:
Fewer than 3 bowel movements per week
Hard, dry, or lumpy stools
Straining during defecation
Feeling of incomplete emptying
Abdominal bloating or discomfort
Reduced appetite or nausea (in severe cases)
👉 Diagnosis
Diagnosis is based on:
1. History and Physical Examination
Frequency and consistency of stools
Diet, hydration, medications, and physical activity
Digital re**al exam (to check stool impaction or a**l tone)
2. Investigations (if needed)
Blood tests (for thyroid, calcium, glucose levels)
Abdominal X-ray (to see stool burden)
Colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy (if bleeding, weight loss, or suspicion of cancer)
Transit studies (to assess bowel movement speed)
💊 Treatment
1. Lifestyle Modifications
Increase fiber intake (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, bran)
Drink adequate water (1.5–2 liters daily)
Regular exercise (e.g., walking, stretching)
Establish a toilet routine — don’t ignore the urge to defecate
2. Medications
Bulk-forming laxatives (psyllium, methylcellulose)
Osmotic laxatives (lactulose, polyethylene glycol)
Stimulant laxatives (senna, bisacodyl – for short-term use)
Stool softeners (docusate sodium)
Suppositories or enemas (for severe cases)
3. Treatment of Underlying Cause
Adjust or change medications causing constipation
Manage hormonal or neurological disorders
Treat a**l fissures or hemorrhoids if present
👉 Complications
Untreated constipation can lead to:
Hemorrhoids (due to straining)
A**l fissures (from passing hard stool)
F***l impaction (severe stool buildup)
Re**al prolapse (re**um slips out due to strain)
Bowel obstruction (in chronic or severe cases)
👉 When to See a Doctor
Seek medical attention if you have:
Blood in stool
Unexplained weight loss
Persistent abdominal pain
Constipation lasting >3 weeks despite home measures
Vomiting or inability to pass gas