Constipation

What is constipation?

Constipation is usually described as having fewer than three bowel movements in a week. Constipation occurs when the stool becomes too hard and dry. Your stool will become dry if it moves too slowly through the digestive tract or stays in the colon for too long. If you are experiencing fewer than three bowel movements in a week we recommend contacting your nearest gastroenterologist. You can find a local gastroenterologist through GI Alliance.

What causes constipation?

There are a few reasons why your stool would move slower than normal through your digestive system. Some reasons for constipation include:

  • Nerve damage around the colon or rectum
  • Colon cancer
  • A bowel obstruction
  • Anal fissure
  • Rectal cancer
  • Rectum bulge through the back wall of the vagina
  • Narrowing of the colon
Flexible sigmoidoscopy
Colonoscopy
Virtual colonoscopy
Double-contrast barium enema
Fecal test

A sigmoidoscope is used to view the inside of the rectum and lower colon. A finger-sized thick tube with a camera at the end is inserted from the rectum, and images of the inner wall of the rectum and part of the colon can be seen on the monitor. It can be used to take a biopsy of the polyp or tumor and remove some polyps. However, a colonoscopy needs to be done to view the whole colon and remove all polyps or tumors. It is fairly safe but has a small risk of bowel tear, bleeding, and infection.

A colonoscope is similar to a sigmoidoscope but is longer and is used to examine the inner wall of the whole colon. It is inserted from the rectum, and the doctor can see the images of the entire colon on the monitor. Special surgical tools can be passed through the colonoscope to take a biopsy and remove polyps. Sedation is required. There is a small risk of bowel tears, bleeding, or infection after the procedure. It’s important to note this is the only colorectal prevention strategy offered.

This is the computed tomography scan of the colon. The person is asked to lie on a table of the CT scanner, which takes cross-sectional images of the colon. It is a non-invasive technique and does not require sedation. If any abnormalities are found, a colonoscopy needs to be done to remove the polyps or tumors.

A small tube is inserted in the rectum, and barium sulfate, a white chalky liquid, and air is pumped into the colon. The barium suspension lines the outer walls of the colon. X-ray images of the colon are then taken to reveal abnormalities on the inner wall of the colon. If any abnormalities are found, a colonoscopy needs to be done to remove the polyps or tumors.

These are done with the fecal sample and are totally safe. Fecal tests may not give confirmatory results but may suggest abnormalities in the gastrointestinal tract, warranting further tests. A colonoscopy needs to be repeated if results are positive, indicating the presence of cancerous growth in the colon. There are three types of fecal tests:

  • Fecal occult blood tests detect blood in the feces that is not visible to normal eyes through a chemical reaction.
  • Fecal immunochemical tests detect blood through a specific immunochemical reaction of a protein in the blood and can detect hidden blood.
  • Stool DNA tests look for certain abnormal DNA genes in the cells shed from cancerous outgrowth or polyps in the stool sample.

How can I relieve constipation?

Incorporating healthy habits into your lifestyle can help relieve bouts of constipation. Some healthy habits to adopt to help you avoid constipation include:

  • Drinking more water
  • Avoiding dairy
  • Eating more dietary fiber
  • Taking probiotics and prebiotics
  • Regular exercise

Some over-the-counter medication options are a great solution to constipation, but we recommend consulting with one of our gastroenterologists first because constipation can sometimes be a symptom of a more serious condition.

What foods are high in fiber?

If you are looking to add more high-fiber foods to your diet, the following foods may be of some benefit:

  • Apples, peaches, raspberries, tangerines
  • Acorn squash, raw broccoli, raw Brussels sprouts, raw cabbage, raw carrots, raw cauliflower, raw spinach
  • Cooked zucchini, cooked black-eyed peas
  • Kidney beans, lima beans
  • Cold All-Bran, Total Bran Flakes, whole-grain cereal, hot oatmeal
  • Wheatena®, whole-wheat bread, seven-grain bread

To learn more about changing your nutritional habits, please contact GI Alliance to connect with one of our licensed dietitians.

When should you see a GI doctor about constipation?

Most people will experience constipation at some point during their lives. However, chronic constipation can be a sign of something far more serious. If you have been experiencing constipation on an ongoing basis, please visit a gastroenterologist as soon as possible. In addition to being able to diagnose and help manage your condition, your gastroenterologist will be able to test and screen for any, more serious ailments. To find a gastroenterologist near you, contact GI Alliance.
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