Consuming oily and spicy foods, drinking alcohol and cigarettes, drinking less amount of water and eating food late in the night lead to many problems. Constipation is also one of them.
What is constipation
Constipation has become a common problem that every second or third person is struggling with. When there is less than three bowel movements in a week, this condition is called constipation in medical language.
Constipation can happen to a person of any age, but in most cases it is seen in middle-aged people. When you are constipated, you are not able to have regular bowel movements or your stomach is not completely cleared.
Constipation is caused by drinking less amount of water. However, the main causes of constipation include aging, taking certain medications, and lack of or no physical activity.
The severity of constipation can vary from person to person. Some people complain of constipation only for a few days, but for others constipation can be chronic, due to which they may have to face pain and other problems.
Constipation Symptoms
The biggest symptoms of constipation are gas in the stomach, flatulence and loss of appetite. Apart from this, there can be many other symptoms of constipation such as:-
- bad breath
- persistent runny nose
- Intermittent headache
- Dizziness
- nausea
- pimples on face
- feeling of heaviness in the stomach
- indigestion
- eye irritation
- feeling weak
- be restless
- stomach cramps
- Stomach not clear even after defecation
- white or gray tongue
- back pain
- mouth sores
- hardening of stool
- straining during bowel movements
- not having regular bowel movements
- occasional nausea and vomiting
- abdominal bloating
If you ignore constipation, its symptoms can take a serious form, due to which your problem can increase further. That’s why you should immediately consult a doctor as soon as you experience constipation.
Causes of Constipation
Constipation can be due to many reasons. Keeping in mind its causes, the danger of this problem can be avoided by taking some precautions.
Why constipation happens: –
- lack of dietary fiber
- eating flour products
- excessive consumption of fried foods
- eating chili and spicy products
- drinking small amounts of water
- low fluid intake
- not eating on time
- late night dinner
- staying up late
- drinking excessive amounts of tea and coffee
- smoke tobacco or cigarettes
- regurgitation
- having anxiety or living a stressful life
- hormonal imbalance
- having thyroid problems
- long-term use of painkillers
- not having a bowel movement
- not eating fiber rich food
- prolonged retention of urine
- lack of sleep
- undereating
- do not exercise
- dehydration
- lying down immediately after eating
- eating without feeling hungry
- take food without chewing
- be indigestion
- not eating on time
- binge drinking
- over fasting
- Deficiency of calcium and potassium in the body
- eating too much meat
- suffering from intestinal or liver disease
If you want to save yourself from constipation, then keeping in mind the reasons given above, you can take some precautions like walking for a while instead of lying down immediately after eating.
Complications of Constipation
You may have to face many problems due to constipation such as:-
- loss of appetite
- Heartburn
- feeling of heaviness in the stomach
- nausea and vomiting
- Intestinal ulceration and inflammation
- Increased risk of piles, fistula and fissure disease
If you want to avoid constipation and complications from constipation, then there is a need to improve your diet and lifestyle.
Diagnosis of Constipation
To diagnose constipation, the doctor does a physical examination of the patient and may ask some general questions regarding the medical history and pre-existing digestive problems. With the help of physical examination, the doctor finds out the cause of constipation.
Apart from physical examination, the doctor may suggest certain tests like blood tests, abdominal X-ray, barium enema, colonic transit marker studies, defecation, anorectal motility studies and MRI defecation.
Constipation Treatment
Constipation can be treated in a number of ways, including positive lifestyle and diet changes, laxatives, exercise, medications, and surgery.
To overcome constipation, doctors suggest consuming foods rich in fiber. Apart from this, exercising regularly, having timely bowel movements, drinking sufficient amount of water, etc. are included.
If the complaint of constipation is for a long time, then it can be treated by making special changes in lifestyle and food habits.
When there is no benefit even after bringing lifestyle and eating habits, then doctors suggest the use of medicines. And when medicines also prove to be ineffective, doctors suggest surgery.
When to See a Doctor for Constipation
If there is no improvement in constipation even after making positive changes in lifestyle and diet, taking over-the-counter medicines and you experience heaviness, cramping or pain in the abdomen due to constipation, then you should see a doctor as soon as possible.
Prevention of Constipation
There is a complaint of constipation due to unhealthy lifestyle and wrong eating habits. With the help of healthy lifestyle and healthy eating habits, the risk of constipation can be overcome. If you want to prevent constipation, then the following things should be followed: –
- eat fiber rich food
- drink water and other fluids
- Avoid excessive consumption of tea and coffee
- Reduce drinking milk, it can also cause constipation
- Exercise regularly
- When pressure builds up, have a bowel movement instead of holding it