Constipation

Do you ever ask yourself, “Why can’t I poop?” Is your poop hard and painful to pass? Do you dread going to the bathroom because you know you’ll still feel plugged up after?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you may be constipated.

While occasional constipation is normal, frequent constipation is not.

This page first outlines when you should see a gastroenterologist for constipation and how we diagnose and treat this condition. We’ll then discuss how to make yourself poop if you’re dealing with constipation. We’ll also highlight common signs of constipation that you should look out for. Lastly, we’ll explore constipation side effects and causes.

Constipation can disrupt your body’s natural process of pooping and cause damage that becomes harder to reverse as time goes on. It can also lead to uncomfortable side effects like hemorrhoids and anal fissures. And in some cases, constipation may be a sign of a serious medical condition.

If you experience constipation for 3 or more weeks, it’s time to see a doctor. And if you haven’t had a bowel movement in over a week, don’t wait to make an appointment. You could have fecal impaction.

Signs that you should see a gastroenterologist for constipation include:

• Blood in the stool
• Change in bowel habits
• Thin poop
• Abdominal pain
• Weight loss

Gastroenterologists are specially trained to diagnose and treat digestive conditions. We can also perform a quick and painless procedure called hemorrhoid banding to get rid of hemorrhoids as a result of constipation.

If you want to improve your digestive health or manage constipation side effects, we can help. You can schedule an appointment online or call our office at (806) 761-0747.

Diagnosing constipation starts with obtaining a history of your symptoms, including what they are and when they started. We’ll also review your medical history, medications, and diet. Depending on your specific case, we may also perform tests to determine the cause of constipation.

Some tests that can diagnose constipation include:

• Blood tests
• Sigmoidoscopy
• Colonoscopy
• Physical exam of your rectum
• Abdominal x-ray
• Blood testing
• Ano-rectal manometry

When possible, constipation treatment focuses on natural solutions that can provide long-term constipation relief. We don’t want to just treat your symptoms. We want to get to the root of your problem.

Potential treatments include:

• Medication
• Supplements
• Dietary changes
• Lifestyle modifications
• Pelvic floor therapy

There are many strategies you can implement in your daily life to improve your digestive health. Making lifestyle changes is often key to relieving your constipation. Below, we’ll explore how to make yourself poop using some of these strategies.

Eat Fiber-Rich Foods

Fiber improves bowel motility by absorbing water and adding bulk to your stool. Eating fiber-rich foods can keep your bowel movements regular.

Fiber-rich foods include:

• Vegetables
• Fruit
• Legumes
• Nuts and seeds
• Whole grains

If you are eating fiber-rich foods and not able to achieve regular bowel movements, Dr. Islam recommends adding either a prebiotic fiber and/or magnesium supplement to help get regular.

Drink More Water

Drinking water throughout your day prevents dehydration and softens your stools. Water is essential for your overall health and can reduce your risk of constipation. You should drink at least 8 cups of water daily.

Exercise Regularly

Regular exercise can prevent constipation. And if you are constipated, it can help get things moving. Exercise activates the muscles in your intestines, which increases the speed at which stool moves through your system.

Constipation is generally described as having infrequent bowel movements that are hard to pass. Everyone has unique bowel habits so the feeling of constipation can vary from person to person. Some people poop multiple times a day whereas others poop a couple of times a week.

Signs of Constipation

There are many signs of constipation that you should be aware of.

You may have constipation if you experience 2 or more of the following:

• Pooping less than 3 times per week
• Passing hard, lumpy stools
• Straining to poop
• Feeling a sensation of an incomplete bowel movement
• Feeling a sensation of an intestinal obstruction
• Manually removing stool
  • Evacuating poop with your finger
  • Supporting the pelvic floor

What this means is that you could be constipated even if you use the bathroom everyday! Just ask yourself, are you satisfied with your bowel movements? Did you feel like you got everything out? If not, you are constipated.

The Bristol Stool Chart provides a good visual of different types of poop. Constipation occurs when your stool takes a long time to move through the digestive tract. This describes Type 1 and 2 in the chart.

How Long Does Constipation Last?

Constipation can be acute, lasting for only a few days or weeks. Or it can be chronic, lasting for 3 months or more.

It’s normal to experience constipation every once in a while due to lifestyle changes. But when constipation drags on for months or years it can have detrimental impacts on your digestive health.

Sometimes, constipation can cause uncomfortable side effects, some being more common than others. Constipation side effects may include hemorrhoids, anal fissures, bleeding, fecal impaction, and rectal prolapse.

Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in your rectum that look like red lumps. They can be inside your rectum or can prolapse and be visible externally. Straining to poop causes excess stress to your body and can lead to the development of hemorrhoids.

Anal Fissures

Anal fissures are tears in the tissue that lines your anus. It can feel like shards of glass. Large, hard poop can cause anal fissures as it exits your digestive system.

Bleeding

Hard stool that occurs as a result of constipation can damage the inner lining of your intestines or anus, which can lead to bleeding. Bright red blood or black stool is always a reason to see your doctor. Blood in the stool is never normal.

Fecal Impaction

Fecal impaction can occur when you’ve been constipated for a long time. Hard stool packs your colon and is unable to be passed naturally. This blockage can cause abdominal pain and leaking of liquid stool from your rectum. In more severe cases, fecal impaction can perforate the colon.

Rectal Prolapse

Rectal prolapse is when part of the rectum protrudes from the anus. This is a less common side effect of constipation and can occur from repeated pushing and straining while pooping.

Constipation has a long list of potential causes. It’s relatively common to experience constipation due to lifestyle changes such as traveling and eating different foods. But the causes of constipation can also be more serious.

If you’re constipated, it may be due to any of the following:

• Poor diet
• Hormonal changes
  • Pregnancy
  • Hypothyroidism
• Lack of exercise
• Gastrointestinal disorders
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Colon cancer
  • Functional constipation
• Pelvic floor dysfunction
• Medication
  • Antacids
  • Opioids
  • Iron supplements
• Stress

Dr. Sameer Islam is a gastroenterologist and West Texas native who helps restore your digestive health through natural treatments. If you’re located in the Lubbock, Texas area and have persistent signs of constipation, you can schedule an appointment online or call our office at (806) 696-4440.