The Many Faces of Constipation

The term constipation is a multi-facet ed word that can mean different things to different people. Some people define constipation as the inability to move their bowel on a regular basis while some consider just having difficulty moving hard stools as a form of constipation.

Some m ed ical points of view though, constipation is when you have less than 3 bowel movements in a week while severe constipation is when you have less than 1 bowel movement in a week.  Actual constipation begins by missing your daily bowel movement.  Food in, food out.

Constipation is also classified depending on the duration of the case. Constipation that just started recently is called acute constipation and can be a symptom of a serious medical illness. This type of constipation needs urgent assessment.

Chronic or long-term constipation on the other hand, may also require immediate attention especially when accompanied by rectal bleeding, cramps, and other symptoms.

Evaluating Constipation

Doctors need to evaluate your level of constipation to provide you with the best and most appropriate treatment. The process of evaluating constipation is simple.

· Learning from History . Physicians need to know your medical history to assess the cause of the problem. Your medical history will give your doctor an idea about previous or ongoing medications and/or diseases that may be causing constipation problems or dietary adjustments that you need to make to achieve better bowel movement.

· Getting Physical . Physical examination for constipated patients normally includes a rectal examination to see if the anal sphincter is tight. Rectal examination can also determine if there are problems in the rectal, anal, and/or pelvic floor muscles.

· Blood tests . Constipation evaluation can also call for blood tests to check the patient for hypothyroidism or for parathyroid hormone.

· X-Rays . Abdominal and colonic x-rays are performed to determine the severity of constipation based on the amount of stool seen from the x-rays.

· Motility Studies . Colonic and ano-rectal motility studies help physicians determine the muscle and nerve functions and abnormalities that may be preventing bowel movement.

Should your family doctor be uncomfortable in evaluating constipation or if you do not have confidence in his/her evaluation, it is advisable that you consult a gastroenterologist. Gastroenterologists are more familiar and experienced in the evaluation processes for constipation.  

When to Go for a Constipation Evaluation

Particularly if the case is acute and severe, you should consult a physician upon the onset of constipation.

For the not-so-severe cases though, you can try several home rem ed ies or by taking a natural - bas ed constipation rem ed y to improve your bowel movement. If constipation persists, then you should also go see a health care professional to check if your constipation is a symptom of a more serious disease.