Constipation Symptoms, Causes, Prevention and Home Treatments

Constipation occurs when bowel movements are difficult to pass. Some people are overly concerned with frequency because they have been taught that a healthy person has a bowel movement every day. This is a misconception. Most people pass stools anywhere from three times a day to three times a week. If your stools are soft and pass easily, you are not constipated.

Constipation may be accompanied by cramping and pain in the rectum from the strain of trying to pass hard, dry stools. There may be some bloating and nausea. There may also be small amounts of bright red blood on the stool caused by slight tearing as the stool is pushed through the anus. This should stop when the constipation is controlled.

Rarely, a stoll may become lodged in the rectum (impacted). If this happens, mucus and fluid may leak out around the stool, or there may be uncontrollable leakage of stool (fecal incontinence).

Lack of fiber and inadequate water in the diet are common cause of constipation. Other causes include travel, lack of exercise, delaying bowel movements, medications, pain due to hemorrhoids, and laxative overuse. Irritable bowel syndrome may also cause constipation.

Stress related to toilet training may contribute to constipation in young children. Children who are involved in play or other activities and ignore the urge pass stools may become constipated. Children and adults may get constipated because they are reluctant to use toilets away from home.

Prevention

• Eat plenty of high-fiber foods such as fruit, vegetables, and whole grains. Other ways to add fiber include:

1. A bowl of bran cereal with ten grams of bran per serving.
2. Two tablespoons of bran added to cereal or soup.
3. Two tablespoons of psyllium (found in Metamucil and other bulk-forming agents). Start with one tablespoon or less and increase slowly to avoid bloating.

• Avoid foods that are high in fat and sugar.
• Drink 1,5 to 2 quarts of water and other liquids every day. (However, some people find milk constipating.)
• Exercise more. A walking program would be a good start.
• Go when you fell the urge. Your bowels send signals when a stool need to pass. If you ignore the signal, the urge will go away and the stool will eventually become dry and difficult to pass.

Home Treatment

• Set aside relaxed times for having bowel movements. Urges usually occur sometime after meals. Establishing a daily routine, after breakfast, for example, may help.
• Drink two to four extra glasses of water per day, especially in the morning.
• Add fruits, vegetables, and high fiber foods, such as bran cereal, beans, or prunes to your diet.
• If necessary, use a stool softener or very mild laxative, such as milk of magnesia. Do not use mineral oil or any other laxative for more than two weeks without consulting a doctor.

For babies and children up to age two:

• Make sure you are adding the correct amount of water to the baby’s formula.
• Give one to two ounces of water before feeding.
• After age six months, give 0,5 tea spoon to 2 ounces of water before feeding.
• After age six month, give 0,5 tea spoon to 2 ounces (increase amount slowly over time) of prune juice. At age nine months, add 1,5 to 3 tablespoons of strained prunes per day.

When to call a health Professional

• If acute constipation persists after the above treatment has been followed for one week for adults or three days for infants.
• If bleeding is heavy (more than a few bright red streaks), if the blood is dark red or brown, or if blood is mixed in the stool.
• If bleeding persists longer than two to three days after constipation has improved, or if bleeding occurs more than once.
• If sharp or severe pain occurs in the abdomen
• If constipation and major changes in bowel movement patterns persists longer than two weeks without clear reason.
• If you have uncontrollable leakage of fecal material (fecal incontinence).
• If you are unable to have bowel movements without using laxatives.

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