Treating chronic constipation can be a long journey, and there are many causes of chronic constipation. For people suffering with chronic constipation, Gastroenterology Consultants of Central Florida aims to get to the root of the issue. Continue into this constipation series as we share the ways this team of doctors can relieve ongoing gastro issues.
In review:
Last time readers dropped in, they learned about the symptoms and causes of chronic constipation. People that pass fewer than three stools a week are considered patients with chronic constipation.
Having lumpy or hard stools are associated with constipation and chronic constipation. Some people think straining to have bowel movements is normal, but this is not. Either issues may be decreased with an increase in water intake.
If increasing water intake does not decrease constipation, there may be other causes. Some people report feeling as if there is a blockage in the rectum that prevents the movements. Similarly, some patients report feeling as though they cannot completely empty stool from their rectum.
Trouble passing a bowel movement:
Not having the ability to pass a full bowel movement may result in people trying to empty their rectum with physical help. For mothers, this may have been experienced while trying to pass the first bowel movement after birth. Pain medication and other medicines may cause constipation.
Lack of exercise as well as insufficient, or excessive, fiber may cause constipation. In our last blog, we shared which foods can be eaten more often to ease the trouble of passing a bowel movement.
Causes of blockages in the colon:
Blockages in the colon or rectum can slow down or stop stool movement. Some causes of blockages include the following issues:
- colon cancer
- rectal cancer
- bowel stricture, or a narrowing of the colon
- bowel obstruction, or a blockage in the intestines
- an anal fissure, or tiny tears in the skin around the anus
- other abdominal cancers that press on the colon
- rectocele, or a rectum bulge through the back wall of the vagina
Causes of chronic constipation:
According to the Mayo Clinic, Neurological issues may affect the nerves that cause muscles in the colon and rectum to contract and move stool through the intestines. Some causes include:
- stroke
- spinal cord injury
- Parkinson’s disease
- multiple sclerosis
- autonomic neuropathy, or damage to the nerves that control bodily functions
Issues with the pelvic muscles involved in passing a bowel movement may cause chronic constipation. The following are just a few:
- weakened pelvic muscles
- dyssynergia, or pelvic muscles that do not coordinate relaxation and contraction correctly
- anismus, or the inability to relax the pelvic muscles to allow for a bowel movement
Some conditions that affect hormones in the body cause chronic constipation. Hormones are needed to balance fluids in the body. Certain diseases and conditions may upset the balance of hormones which may lead to constipation.
The following conditions may cause chronic constipation:
- pregnancy
- diabetes
- hyperparathryroidism, or an overactive parathyroid gland
- hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid
Contact Gastroenterology Consultants of Central Florida for relief. Do not live with this issues as causes of chronic constipation can cause much worse health issues if left untreated. Contact our office today to be examined.
Staff Writer