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What Is Constipation?

When food is ingested and digested but not excreted, it forms a blockage in the colon. Regular bowel movements are needed in order for this not to occur. When bowel movements are irregular, constipation may result. Constipation is an unpleasant condition that can last for days or even weeks. Although it is often mild and acute, it can be chronic. To stay healthy, it's important to know how to identify, prevent and treat constipation.

  1. Misconceptions

    • It is a common misconception that to have a healthy digestive system, you should have one bowel movement per day. However, doctors advise that an individual can have anywhere from three bowel movements per day to three per week and still be considered regular. Therefore, you should not induce bowel movements with laxatives if you go a day or two without a bowel movement. In fact, overusing laxatives can cause constipation.

    Features

    • Constipation is defined by infrequent bowel movements. It occurs in individuals who fail to have a minimum of three bowel movements per week. When bowel movements do occur, they tend to be difficult and straining. This is because the stool is often dry and hard, making it difficult to pass. The presence of hard stool in the body can be quite uncomfortable and cause bloating, cramping or even nausea.

    Types

    • The three types of constipation---transit, slow transit and outlet delay---are distinguished by the rate at which the stool moves through the intestines. During transit constipation, movement occurs at a regular rate. Slow transit constipation occurs when the movement is slow, which limits the number of bowel movements. Outlet delay occurs when movement ceases in the pelvic area as a result of muscles contracting. This type of constipation prevents stool from being passed and often results in excessive straining.

    Effects

    • To relieve constipation symptoms, the dry, hard stool must be eliminated from your body. This typically involves the use of force. When pressure is applied to the anal canal, veins may become swollen and develop into hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids, whether internal or external, make it even more difficult and painful to pass stool. Even after the stool is passed, soreness, itchiness and bleeding may continue to occur due to the hemorrhoids.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Constipation is generally a treatable condition that can be prevented by a few lifestyle changes. Having a diet high in fiber is important for regular bowel movements. Fiber, a nutrient found in fruits and vegetables, aids the body in digestion. Over-the-counter fiber supplements in the form of a pill or a powder, such as Citrucel, Metamucil or Benefiber, can be taken by women, who require 20 grams per day, and men, who require 30 grams daily. Drinking six to eight glasses of water per day also helps the digestive process and softens the stool, making passing it easier. Exercise also helps prevent constipation by stretching the muscles and releasing the body of tension, which allows waste to pass from the intestines to the colon smoothly.

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