What Causes Constipation?
Constipation refers to infrequent bowel movements, and it is typically diagnosed in cases where a patient has had fewer than three stools in a week. A patient may also be constipated if passing stools involves straining or if stools are hard. Chronic constipation can persist for weeks or months. Women are more likely to experience constipation than men, and older adults also have an increased prevalence of this condition. Patients who have eating disorders often notice frequent constipation as well. Since constipation can be a sign of a serious medical condition, individuals who observe persistent constipation or other changes in their bowel movements should see a doctor.
To assess constipation, doctors begin by asking patients about their medical history and diet. Next, the physician will perform an abdominal examination to check for any pain or masses, and a rectal exam may be necessary. Doctors might order x-rays or blood tests to find out more about the cause of the patient's symptoms, and some individuals could be advised to have more advanced diagnostic procedures such as colonoscopies, sigmoidoscopies, balloon expulsion tests, or defecography studies. Treatment for constipation normally begins with dietary modifications, and patients might be prescribed laxatives or other medications. Surgery is sometimes required to treat constipation caused by blockages or rectoceles.
Some of the most common causes of constipation are outlined below.
Bowel Obstruction
A bowel obstruction develops when some type of blockage prevents food and liquid from passing normally through the small and large intestines. Blockages can be caused by hernias, inflammatory bowel conditions, scar tissue from abdominal surgeries, colon cancer, and fecal impaction. In addition to constipation, individuals with a bowel obstruction could experience vomiting, abdominal swelling and cramping, and loss of appetite. Doctors often diagnose bowel obstructions through a physical examination and additional tests such as ultrasound, MRI, or CT scans. Some patients may need to have an air or barium enema. Treatment for a bowel obstruction typically requires hospitalization. At the hospital, patients are given intravenous fluids, and they might also be fed through a nasogastric tube. Surgery is often required to treat complete obstructions, and partial obstructions may also need surgical intervention.
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