What to do in case of constipation? Questions and answers from a specialist

Constipation is a slow, difficult bowel movement. If your bowel movements are irregular, there are problems with your intestines, so you should understand the causes and know how to improve your stool and when to see a proctologist.

Constipation: what is it and how to identify it?

What is constipation? In simple terms, it is a difficult bowel movement, which can occur on the second or more day or occur during the day, but with a “feeling” of incomplete bowel movement from feces. If the intestines are not emptied every day, you should not immediately think about constipation. Normally, the process of defecation can occur several times a day or once every 2 days.

What factors can cause constipation?

Constipation can be caused by both temporary disturbances in the daily routine and diet, as well as certain pathologies that can lead to constipation becoming chronic.

Among them:

-non-compliance with the diet and quality of food, low fiber content in the diet;

-insufficient drinking (at least 1.5 liters);

-old age. Constipation in the elderly is associated with a decrease in intestinal contractility, some concomitant diseases;

-low level of activity;

-irritable bowel syndrome, one of the forms of which is characterized by constipation;

-pregnancy;

-narrowing of the colon;

-anal fissure, hemorrhoids;

-Hirschsprung’s disease;

-parkinsonism

-multiple sclerosis;

-diseases associated with metabolic disorders (e.g. diabetes mellitus);

-taking certain medications that cause constipation as a side effect;

-mental disorders.

What are the signs of constipation?

Signs of constipation may include the following

1)absence of bowel movements for more than 3 days;

2)hard and painful stools;

3)difficulty walking to the toilet;

4)incomplete bowel movement;

5)significant straining during defecation;

6)high-density feces separation;

7)”sheep’s feces” – hard, nut-like feces that are difficult to pass through the intestines;

8)bleeding during straining.

Some people believe that constipation can be diagnosed only if the symptoms have been present for several months. However, in fact, you should not wait for the problem to develop and become chronic. Therefore, if you are wondering “what to do if you can’t go to the bathroom?”, there is only one answer – “see a doctor”.

What is atonic constipation and how to treat it?

If the intestinal wall tone decreases, atonic constipation develops. Atonic constipation can be caused by a diet high in fiber and insufficient drinking, decreased thyroid activity, regular use of laxatives, Hirschsprung’s disease, in which the intestines expand and become immobile, which causes fecal retention.

What is spastic constipation and how to treat it?

Muscle spasm is the cause of spastic constipation, which occurs due to increased intestinal wall tone. Spastic constipation is characterized by impaired intestinal function and problems with its peristalsis. The most common causes of spastic constipation are irritable bowel syndrome, allergic reactions to food or intolerance to certain foods, stress, endometriosis, and infectious bowel diseases. Spastic constipation can cause gas, bloating, and acute pain.

How to recognize and eliminate constipation in a child?

If an infant has loose, difficult stools, and the child cries and arches his or her back during defecation, this indicates constipation. Constipation in an infant is caused by artificial feeding or insufficient fluids. Other causes may include

1)problems with nerve endings in the intestines;

2)poor functioning of the thyroid gland;

3)pathologies of the spinal cord development;

4)slow metabolism.

Constipation in a child 2 years old – what to do? In children over one year of age, constipation occurs due to insufficient fiber in the diet, food allergies or intolerance. The best remedy for constipation for children is a well-adjusted diet, which should include prunes, barley and whole grain cereals, apple and plum juices. Fatty foods, teas, milk, and semolina should be excluded from the diet in case of constipation.

In order to prevent intestinal problems, food allergies, and digestive diseases in case of constipation in a child, you should visit a pediatric gastroenterologist. Emergency medical care is required in case of prolonged constipation, blood in the stool, painful bowel movements, and sudden weight loss.

How to prevent and treat constipation during pregnancy and after childbirth?

Progesterone levels increase during pregnancy, and this is the main cause of constipation in pregnant women. Additional factors may include

• non-compliance with diet and drinking regimen
• a slowed-down lifestyle;
• fetal growth that puts pressure on the intestines;
• taking certain medications and supplements.

After childbirth, constipation can occur as a result of anal fissures or pelvic floor strain, as well as epidural anesthesia during labor. After a cesarean section, the intestines recover in a few days.

The best remedy for constipation during and after pregnancy is clean water, physical activity, and the consumption of fiber-containing foods. Self-medication during pregnancy is unacceptable, as it can harm both the mother and the baby.

How are constipation and the menstrual cycle related?

Before the onset of menstruation, constipation occurs due to increased levels of progesterone and estrogen (these hormones make it difficult for the digestive system to function). Constipation is also common in women diagnosed with endometriosis or irritable bowel syndrome.

What diet will help with constipation? 

“What to eat to go to the toilet?” – this is a question doctors often receive from their patients. In fact, there is no miracle food! But foods that contain a lot of fiber can help, which increases the size of the stool, softens it and promotes its normal elimination.

In case of constipation, the following are recommended:

-whole grain products (oatmeal, whole grain bread);

-legumes;

-vegetables (carrots, green peas);

-apples, pears;

-nuts;

Laxative foods: kiwi, figs, citrus fruits, sweet potatoes, prunes.

In addition to the right food, it is important to observe the drinking regimen (at least 1.5 liters of water per day). You can add fruit and vegetable juices, clear soups to your diet (they help soften the stool).

It is also important to eat fractional meals in case of constipation, i.e., evenly filling the intestines. If constipation is accompanied by chronic diseases, then only a gastroenterologist can prescribe a more specific diet.

What should you not eat if you are constipated?

Proper nutrition is just as important as medication when treating constipation. However, not all foods are equally beneficial.

Foods that should be limited or eliminated include:

fatty foods, fried meat, sausages, canned foods;

white bread, pastries, semolina porridge, rice;

chocolate, cocoa, sweet milk;

fast food, semi-finished products;

bananas and other viscous fruits;

alcohol, strong black tea.

These foods slow down intestinal peristalsis and contribute to the hardening of faeces. A particularly dangerous combination for constipation is fatty foods + low water intake + lack of exercise.

What methods will help to get rid of constipation quickly?

“How to go to the toilet quickly when constipated?” is a popular query on the Internet. First of all, treatment begins with an enema or taking a lactulose preparation. In general, the treatment is developed individually for each patient, taking into account the causes, duration of the problem, age and accompanying diseases.

Doctors at the Zdravo.life clinic recommend

1)Eat foods rich in fiber;

2)increase daily water intake to 2-2.5 liters;

3)take dietary bran.

Drug therapy includes the use of

Laxatives (herbal or synthetic) with a gradual dose reduction and discontinuation;

prebiotics – to normalize the intestinal flora;

antispasmodics.

The main goal of treatment is to restore intestinal microflora and normal bowel movements.

What to do if you can’t go to the toilet?

If you don’t know how to go to the bathroom quickly when constipated, you can try an abdominal massage. The massage relieves pain and discomfort during bowel movements and accelerates the passage of feces through the intestines. As a rule, massages are indicated for those patients whose constipation has become chronic, people with spinal injuries, brain diseases.

It is forbidden to do massage for pregnant women, people with intestinal inflammation, and people with open wounds in the intestinal area. Therefore, before doing massages, you should always consult a doctor.

The best remedy for constipation at home: what really works?

Not sure how to get rid of constipation quickly at home? There are several ways!

• Castor oil. For children, the dose is 1 teaspoon, for adults – 1 tablespoon. Usually, relief comes after an hour of taking the oil. You can also use pumpkin seed oil.
• Physical exercises. Yoga, jogging, exercising, even a brisk walk – any physical activity can help relieve the condition.
• Herbal decoctions of horse sorrel and lemon balm.
• Eating laxative products: fruit and vegetable smoothies, prunes.

But even if home remedies for constipation have proven to be effective, you should not put off going to the doctor. After all, most of the time, folk methods do not give the desired result, but only delay the necessary help.