Constipation

Constipation

Introduction

Constipation is characterized as the condition with abnormal dry stools that are hard to pass. It is the disease of the gastrointestinal tract and the condition is treatable.

Discussion

Definition

Constipation is the hard stools. They occur when the bowel moment is lesser than normal and the water is not reabsorbed properly from the kidneys. The bowel moment falls to less than three times per week. The defecation is painful and in frequent. The stools that result due to constipation are hard and dry, and vary in size. It is often followed by gases with a failure to pass stools, a condition known as obstipation. (HERPC, 2013)

Causes of constipation

There are a number of causes of constipation, which can be mild to severe. These causes includes following:

Inadequate water intake

Inadequate intake of fiber in the diet

Inadequate mobility of the body

Travelling or stress that affects the diet

Dairy product intake in an abnormal amount

Excessive usage of laxatives

Holding the urge to pass the feces

Diseases causing constipation

These are mild causes and they can be overcome with prevention and sometime treatment. But constipation which occurs as a side effect of a disease can be dangerous, and should be treated at once. These causes include:

Parkinson disease

Hypothyroidism

Pregnancy

Cancer of colon

Depression

Medications

Constipation might also occur as a side effect of certain medications use to treat different diseases. Some of these medicines include antacids that contain calcium, antidepressants, antidiarrhoeal medicines, antispasmodics, diuretics, iron supplement pills and vice versa.

Signs and symptoms

The major sign of constipation is the hard stool that is difficult to pass. Other signs and symptoms include the following (Seibert, 2012)

Pain

Vomiting

Abdominal swelling

Difficulty to pass stools

Prognosis

Prognosis means the conditions that might arise due to the presence of untreated prolong constipation. The problems that might arise includes following:

Hemorrhoids

Anal fissures

Rectal prolapsed

Fecal impaction leading to abdominal tenderness

Constipation is taken as a very mild disease. However it is not. Some physicians consider constipation as a n effect of an underlying disease. Whatever the condition is, this condition, if persists, can lead to life threatening problems. Abdominal tenderness and fecal impaction occurs on the later stages, leading to hemorrhoids. In case of severe bowel obstruction, constipation can be fatal.

Treatment

Constipation is a treatable problem. It can be treated through diet or by medications.

Diet

Mild to moderate constipation can be treated through diet alone. This includes an increased intake of water and dietary fibers. At least 25 to 35 milligrams of dietary fiber should be treated daily with 8 to 10 glasses ...