Constipation – Situations That Should Make You Start To Worry

A person has constipation when he has fewer than three bowel movements each week. The person experiences difficulty when passing as the stool is usually dry, hard and pebble-like.  There are three million Americans suffering from this condition at a given time. There is generally nothing serious in constipation as it goes away on its own when a few adjustments are done in the diet, adding daily exercize or by  taking an all natural constipation relief product. However, when your constipation is accompani ed by one or more of the following, it is best to visit your health care professional.

Constipation – Things to Watch Out For…

Chronic constipation – This kind of constipation does not go away for two weeks or more. There might be underlying medical conditions that are causing it like a thyroid problem.

Fresh blood in your stool - There are a number of causes for the presence of blood in stools: polyps, hemorrhoids and diverticulosis. If you are also feeling cramping and bleeding, it may be ulcerative colitis, which is the result of inflammation of the colon.

If there is a tender lump near the rectum, it may just be hemorrhoids and can be relieved with hemorrhoidal creams or soaking in hot water. If the symptoms do not go away after two weeks, a visit to the doctor is called for.

If the bleeding and constipation are accompanied by abdominal pain or weight loss, something more serious like cancer or the growth of a tumor is possible. Do not delay, see your doctor immediately.

Fever and chills – Especially if accompanied by intense pain near the anus even when not having a bowel movement, this may be because of a perirectal abscess, an infection near the anus.

Itching around the rectum even when not having bowel movement – Possible causes would be a yeast infection, allergy to toilet paper or pinworms.

Small reddish mass of tissue sticking out of the anus – Rectal prolapse is a possibility. People with this condition feel like they can not completely empty their bowels and have very small stools or they can't control their bowel movement.

Stools that are gray or whitish - This may indicate a blockage in or near your gall bladder, a liver disease or infection. This needs also prompt medical attention.

Constipation – What to Remember

This article is not supposed to alarm you but to point out possible underlying medical conditions you might have which are either directly or indirectly related to your constipation. Remember, early diagnosis means better chances of you being treated.

Usually, constipation is not serious. You ma y ne ed only to eat more food with fiber. A daily fiber allowance of 20 to 35 grams for an adult is recommend ed . Also, get more physical activity as immobility can cause constipation. The more active you are, the better your digestion is, and therefore, the more regular your bowel movements are. You ma y ne ed to drink more (pure) water. But when you have any of the above accompanying symptoms, it is time to listen to your body.