What is constipation?

Constipation is a condition when a person finds it difficult to pass stool regularly and normally. In normal conditions, a person passes stools at least once in every 24 hours. The stool’s consistency is normal, and person does not find any difficulty in passing the stool, Normal stool is soft in consistency and passes out of the body easily without exerting any extra efforts.

But in constipation, person faces a problem with passing stool. Normal bowel evacuation is a daily phenomenon. But a constipated person may pass stools even less than three times a week. That too with great difficulty. The stool is extra hard and may come out in small pieces.

Why constipation takes place?

Some of the most common causes that can lead to constipated bowel movements are:

• Side effects of certain medicines the person is taking.
• Leading a sedentary life, not doing enough exercises.
• Consuming less quantity of liquids, less than the normal required liquid quantity every 24 hours.
• Eating junk food, food that does not contain fibre.
• Person suffering from a gastroenterological condition, known as irritable bowel syndrome. Or commonly known as IBS.
• Avoiding bowel evacuation even when there is an urge to pass stools.
• Changing lifestyle, such as relocation, pregnancy, etc,
• Old age problems.
• Probability of some medical condition that causes problems with intestinal problems such as sluggish peristalsis.

What are the symptoms of constipation?

Different persons suffering from constipation may have different symptoms. Some of the symptoms are common. These symptoms are:

• Difficulty in passing stools.
• Experiencing painful bowel movements.
• Evacuating less than three times in a week.
• Having a bloated stomach or entrails.
• Having difficulty in normal movements due to flatulence.
• Leading a sluggish life as there is no desire to move.
• Suffering from occasional abdominal pain.

Symptoms of constipation may be similar to other medical problems. It is always best to consult a gastroenterologist for a correct diagnosis.

How is constipation diagnosed?

A gastroenterologist takes into consideration duration of the problem and how severe the problem is. Constipation is a very common problem among people and different persons may experience different symptoms of constipation.

Doctors take into consideration the age of the patients and some other factors such as if there blood in the stool. If there is recent changes in food habits or if the person is undergoing weight loss.

Doctors diagnose constipation through:

Asking the medical history of the patient. It includes the description of the constipation that includes duration of the symptoms. The frequency of bowel movements, or other symptoms that may help the doctor to determine the cause of constipation.

Doctor can also conduct physical examination of the patient. It is known as digital rectal examination or DRE. In this the doctor inserts a gloved lubricated finger into the rectum. It helps in evaluating the tone of muscles of anus sphincter. It helps in finding out whether there is any tenderness in the spot or there is any obstruction present. If blood is present, what is the amount and calibre of stool and if the rectum is enlarged or not.

The doctor may also advise for doing a colonoscopy that makes the entire large intestine visible for the doctor. It helps the doctor to notice any abnormality in the large intestine. Any unusual growth inside the large intestine becomes visible with presence of inflamed tissues, ulcers or  any signs of bleeding. It is done with an instrument called colonoscope that is inserted in the colon. It is a long tube like structure that travel the entire length of colon though rectum. It discloses any problem that may be present in the rectum or colon and helps in treating the problem correctly.

The doctor may also suggest for Sigmoidoscopy/ colonoscopy. It helps the doctor to examine a part of large intestine where he suspects any problem presence of problem. It can diagnose the cause of diarrhoea, abdominal pain, constipation, any abnormal growth, and bleeding. It is a short lighted tube and is inserted into the large intestine through rectum. It blows air and inflates the affected part to make it easily visible for proper diagnosis.

Colorectal transit study the movement of food particles through the colon. And Anorectal function test helps in dignosing constipation because of any abnormality in rectum or anus.

Complications caused by Constipation:

Constipation can cause many serious complications.

• Wear and tear of rectal tissue.
• Rectal bleeding.
• Fistula Ano.
• Rectal Prolapse.

All these if left untreated can lead to serious complications including anaemia or carcinoma. These must be treated properly by a specialist gastroenterologist.

Dr. Amit Bundiwal, the senior consultant in gastroenterology is the answer to all these problems. His clinic “The Advance Gastric Centre” is the best Gastroenterology clinic in Central India. It is situated in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. This centre is also equipped with the latest instruments and facilities to diagnose and treat any problem in the gastrointestinal tract of the patient. This clinic is also equipped to tackle any problem in liver and pancreas of the patient.

Dr. Amit Bundiwal is highly trained super specialist gastroenterologist, and he can effectively treat any problem in the GI tract, liver and pancreas of a patient. Patients suffering from constipation and its related complication will find the right treatment in the clinic of Dr Amit Bundiwal and become fully relieved. From the pain and discomfort, they are suffering from. His clinic, situated in Indore M.P has easy accessibility from all parts of the country and patients from every corner of India can easily avail his specialised treatment.

Causes of Constipation:

1 Mechanical Obstruction.

2.Colon Cancer.

3.Stricture Stiffness.

4.Medication for Fever and Pain.

5 Antihypertensive drugs

6 Antacids

7 Diuretics.

8 Iron Supplements.

9 Metabolic Cause such as Diabetes,

10 Hypertension

11 Electrolyte disturbance.

12 Pregnancy.

13 Low Fibres

14 Lack of Fluid.

15 Less intake of food.

16 Neurologic CVA

17 Age Related factor

18 Brain Disorder etc