Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
Definition
Constipation is a common digestive system problem in which you have infrequent
bowel movements, pass hard stools, or strain during bowel movements.
In terms of frequency, what constitutes constipation for one person may be normal for
someone else. That's because the normal frequency of bowel movements varies
widely — from three a day to three a week. What's normal for you may not be normal
for someone else.
In general, though, you're probably experiencing constipation if you pass hard and dry
stools less than three times a week. In some cases, constipation also may make you
feel bloated or sluggish or experience discomfort or pain.
Symptoms
Not having a bowel movement every day doesn't necessarily mean you're constipated.
You're likely constipated, however, if you:
Causes
Normally, the waste products of digestion are propelled through your intestines by
muscle contractions. In the large intestine, most of the water and salt in this mixture
are reabsorbed because they're essential for many of your body's functions.
If too much water is absorbed or if the waste moves too slowly, you may become
constipated. You may also experience constipation if the muscles you use to move
your bowels aren't coordinated. This problem is called pelvic floor dysfunction
(anismus) and it causes you to strain with most bowel movements, even soft ones.
Stool moves through your colon but gets hung up in the rectum because of a lack of
muscle coordination to empty your bowels.
Many medications, including those used to treat Parkinson's disease, high blood
pressure and depression, also can cause constipation. The same is true of many
narcotics. And frequent use of laxatives often aggravates and may even eventually
cause constipation.
In rare cases, constipation may signal more serious medical conditions, such as
colorectal cancer, hormonal disturbances or autoimmune diseases.
Sometimes young children are constipated because they forget to take time to use the
toilet. And your toddler might become constipated during toilet training if he or she is
afraid or unwilling to use the toilet.
Risk factors
You're more likely to have problems with constipation if you're an older adult, are
sedentary or bedridden, eat a diet that's low in fiber or don't drink enough fluids.
You're also at risk if you take certain medications, including sedatives or narcotics, or
you're receiving chemotherapy.
If you're pregnant, you may have bouts of constipation because of hormonal changes.
Later in your pregnancy, pressure on your intestines from your uterus also can cause
constipation.
Complications
Although constipation can be extremely bothersome, it usually isn't serious. If it
persists, and especially if straining results, you may develop complications such as
hemorrhoids and cracks or tears in your anus called abrasions or fissures.
Very severe or chronic constipation can sometimes cause a fecal impaction, a mass of
hardened stool that you can't eliminate by a normal bowel movement. An impaction
can be dangerous, and you may need to have it manually removed.
If you use laxatives frequently, you may develop lazy bowel syndrome, a condition in
which your bowels become dependent on laxatives to function properly. In fact,
laxative use can cause a number of problems, including poor absorption of vitamins
and other nutrients, damage to your intestinal tract and worsening constipation.
Your doctor may recommend a stool softener, such as mineral oil or docusate
(Colace, Surfak), to soften fecal matter so that it passes through your intestines more
easily. But don't rely on stool softeners on a regular basis because they can cause
other problems.
Your doctor may also suggest that you take milk of magnesia, which acts as a mild
laxative. Mineral oil may interfere with the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and can
cause a serious form of pneumonia if it's accidentally inhaled (aspirated) into your
lungs, so don't take mineral oil just before you lie down.
Other approaches
If pelvic floor dysfunction is the cause of your constipation, your doctor may suggest
biofeedback as a treatment. This technique may help you learn to better coordinate the
muscles you use to defecate.
If you're pregnant — and in general — it's a good idea to check with your doctor
before using any laxatives other than fiber supplements. Try eating lots of high-fiber
foods, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. It's a good idea to check the
content of prepared foods because not all foods claiming to be high in fiber actually
are. Drink plenty of fluids and get as much exercise as you can. Swimming and
walking are good choices.
Prevention
To help prevent constipation: