Constipation is the irregular or hard passage of stools. It can be associated with hard dry bowel movements and straining to pass stool. The condition may occur because of the slow food movement through the intestine. In addition, other causes can be poor absorption of nutrients from food and nervous system issues, which usually regulate bowel function. Consult your doctor for an effective remedy for constipation symptoms if your problem is chronic.
Warning signs
The main symptoms of defecation issues are-
- Hard stool
- Infrequent emptying of your rectum
- Abdominal bloating and cramping
- Straining with passing out the stools
Many people also report feeling as they have an incomplete evacuation of stool.
Types
There are four types-
- Functional
- Organic
- Slow transit
- Outlet
Functional constipation
The condition occurs when a person defecates less frequently, which is usual. It does not mean that they do not produce stool or there is any problem with how their body handles the faeces.
Organic constipation
It occurs when a person does not produce stool. Moreover, he or she may also have difficulty passing the faeces. It can be because of the incapability of their body to handle it properly. The culprits can be an anatomical abnormality, structural issue, and endocrine disorder. However, the constipation symptoms include-
- Unintended loss of fluids from the body (dehydration)
- Weight loss
- Central obesity
- Osteoporosis
Slow transit constipation
The colon absorbs too much water from the stool in such a disorder. Eventually, it makes the feces dry and hard to pass. This condition occurs when an area of the gut does not contract normally. Moreover, it can also occur when nerves that stimulate muscle contractions are damaged or not working properly. Its symptoms occur due to stool sitting in the colon for too long. In addition, the problem also has a link with very infrequent bowel movements.
Outlet constipation
It occurs when a person does not have a bowel movement. It is because they cannot relax their anal sphincter muscles. Moreover, other culprits can be childbirth injury, spinal cord injury, or surgery, which affects the nerves of the anal sphincter.
Causes
There are many causes of defecation problems. However, some are-
- Dietary habits (less fibre intake)
- Medication side effects (such as opioids or iron supplements)
- Hormonal changes in menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause
- Colorectal diseases
- Neurological diseases (Parkinson’s disease)
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Metabolic disorders
Best remedies
Treatment for constipation symptoms depends on how severe the condition is. Moreover, the causes are also considered. For some mild cases of dry and infrequent emptying of your rectum, increasing fluids and fibres in the diet may be enough to relieve discomfort and have a bowel movement. However, if this does not work, medicines can help. Effective medications are stool softeners and laxatives. In addition, prescription-strength laxatives or suppositories can treat severe cases of the difficult passage of stools. For most children and adults, trial and error with their doctor’s guidance may help them know the best remedy.
Signs that your condition needs treatment
Signs that stiff poops needs treating include-
- Bowel movements less than thrice a week
- The inability to pass gas
- Abdominal pain or discomfort
- Dry skin around the anus due to prolonged contact with hard stools
- Leakage of stool around the rectum
Medications that can help
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Bulk-forming products
These products can add bulk to the patient’s stool. Common products under this remedy for constipation symptoms are psyllium-containing products, bran, or methylcellulose.
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Osmotic agents
These substances increase the amount of water in the intestinal lumen. Eventually, it increases the stool water content and promotes regular passing of stools. Osmotic agents comprise magnesium salts, lactulose, and polyethylene glycol (PEG).
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Stool softeners
These medications can increase the faecal water content. Stool softeners do it by decreasing the cohesive properties of the intestinal contents.
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Docusate sodium
It helps treat the difficult passage of stools through its action as a stool softener. The medication decreases surface tension in liquids forming semisolid stools.
Dulcolax 5mg – 100 tablets
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Stimulant laxatives
In general, stimulant laxatives are substances that induce peristalsis or cause the contraction of intestinal muscles. However, stimulant laxatives include Bisacodyl, diphenylmethane derivatives, anthraquinones, and castor oil.
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Bisacodyl
It works as a stimulant laxative that stimulates bowel movements by irritating the intestinal wall.
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Osmotic laxatives
These substances increase the amount of water in the intestinal lumen. Eventually, they increase stool water content and regularize the emptying of the rectum. Osmotic laxatives are for a chronic condition.
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Magnesium salts
They act by increasing the fluid in the intestinal lumen. As a result, magnesium salts soften the stool and ease your problem. This treatment for constipation symptoms includes magnesium citrate, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium oxide, and magnesium sulphate in suppository form.
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Lactulose
It is a synthetic sugar that promotes the formation of softer stools and bowel movements.
Lactulose Solution – 500ml
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Sodium phosphate
It works by binding to water in the intestines. Eventually, sodium phosphate increases stool fluid content, which softens the stool and increases the frequency of defecation. It also decreases straining while you pass out the stools.
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Polyethylene glycol (PEG)
PEG works by increasing the fluid content of the intestinal lumen. Therefore, it softens the stool and eases your condition.
Other solutions
Fibre supplements, fluids, regular exercise, and adequate hydration can help relieve your problem. Moreover, soaking in a hot water bath for about 10 minutes may also relieve your condition. If you are pregnant, consult your doctor before taking any actions yourself. Diet modifications can help ease constipation symptoms. They may include increasing fibre intake through whole grains, vegetables, and fruit and drinking sufficient amounts of water daily.
Senokot Max Strength 10 Tablets
Prevention
The following dietary measures can help prevent infrequent emptying of your rectum-
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Increase your intake of dietary fibre
Fibre comes from plant-based foods. They may include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, and seeds. Fibre adds bulk to stool, making it softer and easier to pass through the colon. Therefore, choose whole-grain foods over processed ones whenever possible.
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Drink plenty of fluids
Water is significant for moving things along in your digestive tract. Many people find that warm or hot liquids can help stimulate a bowel movement.
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Be physically active
Moving your body enhances intestinal motility. Moreover, exercises also encourage the muscles in your abdominal wall to contract. Eventually, it helps move stool through your colon more quickly. Aim to exercise for at least half an hour on most days of the week.
However, you should not increase the amount of physical activity without talking to your doctor. You can hurt yourself if you start an intense exercise program without enough warning. In addition, stay in touch with your doctor while using remedies for constipation symptoms.
