How do you know you are constipated? Signs of constipation are as follows: • Two or fewer bowel movements in a week or passing hard and dry stools • Bloating, abdominal cramps or pain • Lethargy • Decreased appetite • Incomplete evacuation Most people do not need comprehensive testing to know they are constipated and only a few sufferers have a more serious medical problem.
If you are suffering one or more signs of constipation for over two weeks already, you must seek a doctor to determine the cause of the problem and get necessary treatments.
Some tests your doctor may perform to determine the cause of your problem are: barium studies and colonoscopy to check for obstruction of the colon and blood tests if hormonal imbalance is suspected.
Many patients with bowel movement difficulty suffer from one of these two problems: • Obstructed defecation in which a person strains too much to expel stool from the rectum • Colonic inertia in which the colon retains stool due to poor contraction How is constipation treated? Treatment depends on the cause, duration and severity of the symptoms.
In many cases however, dietary as well as lifestyle changes help relieve symptoms and helps in the prevention of this condition.
Well balanced diets with fiber-rich foods like whole grain bread, unprocessed bran, fruits and vegetables are recommended.
The ideal fiber intake per day is 20 to 35 grams.
Also, drinking plenty of water and regular exercise stimulate intestinal activity.
Laxatives are offered to those who still exhibit signs of constipation as a last resort however too much intake of bowel softeners can actually cause the problem to worsen.
A doctor is still the best person to determine when a laxative is needed and which type.