The frequency of moving stool varies from individual to individual, ranging from three times a day to twice a week. Constipation happens when this function is unduly delayed from the normal pattern. Occasional constipation is not serious but a long-standing disruption of this pattern, and changes in the appearance and consistency of the stool may be signs of a more serious disorder (eg intestinal cancer, hypothyroidism).
Symptoms
- Delay or difficulty in bowel movement.
- Pellet-like stool (small, dry, and hard).
- Pain, which may come and go in waves.
- Flatulence (excessive gas in the bowels) and frequent passing of air.
- Abdominal distension and discomfort.
Common causes
- Change of diet.
- Insufficient fluid and fibre in the diet.
- Too little exercise, causing the colon contractions that push the stool down to weaken.
- Ignoring the urge to pass stool when busy.
- Haemorrhoids (piles) or anal tissues (tears in the skin arround the anus), which cause pain when passing stool. (See PILES page 452).
- Certain drugs and minerals (eg painkillers, iron tablets) and cough mixture with codeine.
- Pregnancy, in which the fetus pushes down on the bowel.
- Illness which causes loss of fluids, alters the diet, or hinders a person's mobility (eg paralysis).
- In bottle-fed infants, feeding formulas that are too strong.
- Aging process. The abdominal muscles gradually weaken with age.
What you can do
- Eat plenty of fibre daily (eg four servings of cereals, fruits, and vegetables).
- Drink 6-8 glasses of fluids a day.
- Eat at regular hours.
- Exercise everyday. Walk briskly for at least half an hour.
- Consult a doctor if the measures listed above fail.
What your doctor can do for you
- Rule out haemorrhoids, anal tissues, and the more serious causes of constipation (eg colon or rectal cancer).
- Emphasize exercise and dietary strategy.
- Prescribe a laxative.
- Prescribe suppositories or an enema (passing fluid into the rectum through a tube inserted into the anus to induce bowel movement).
- Treat the complications.
Prevention tips
- Take plenty of fluids and fresh fruits and vegetables daily.
- Exercise regularly.
- Keep regular hours for your meals.
- Follow a regular pattern for bowel movement. Do not ignore the urge to pass stool.
This article is reffered to Malaysia Healthcare Guide - The family health guide, MIMS, 2nd edition, 1997, page 280-281.
