Constipation in adults - What you need to know

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is written by Dr. BS Nguyen Thi Cam Tu - Gastroenterologist - Department of General Internal Medicine - Vinmec Times City International Hospital.

Constipation is a common condition in many ages from children, adults to the elderly. If constipation persists, it will affect the health and quality of life of the sufferer.

1. What is constipation?

Constipation is a condition in which it is difficult to defecate, the stool is dry, hard to urinate, but unable to pass stool, having to push hard to pass stools, it takes a long time or many days to go once.
Usually, this happens and ends within a few days. However, people who are often constipated can be a warning sign of colon disease, hypothyroidism, hypercalcemia, lead poisoning, body weakness ...

2. Subjects prone to constipation

Constipation can occur in all subjects, regardless of gender, or age from children, adults to the elderly. Below are subjects who are prone to constipation.
People in the office: Sitting for a long time with little activity, plus eating irregularly, eating a lot of hot and spicy food, drinking a lot of alcohol... are all possible causes of constipation. Elderly people: Elderly people have reduced intestinal function and are sedentary, leading to constipation. Pregnant women and postpartum: Hormonal changes, diet, too much nutrition can easily cause constipation. Children.

3. What causes constipation?

Side effects of some drugs Diet Digestive system diseases Eat less fiber Being inactive Look outside Not drinking enough water. If you have the following symptoms you need to monitor
Blood in the toilet or on the toilet paper after defecation Fever Weight loss Fatigue.

To relieve symptoms of constipation need:
Eat foods high in fiber. Good choices are fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Drink plenty of water and other fluids. Go to the toilet as soon as needed , do not hold back defecation Take laxatives . These are medicines that make bowel movements easier. In case the following symptoms appear, you need to go to a reputable medical facility for examination:
Your symptoms are new or unusual for you You have not had a bowel movement for several days Constipation infrequently repeated for 3 weeks Abdominal pain You have other symptoms that also concern you (for example, bleeding, weakness, weight loss, or fever). Other people in your family have colorectal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease.

4. Tests to diagnose the cause of constipation

Side effects of some drugs Diet Digestive system diseases Eat less fiber Being inactive Look outside Not drinking enough water. If you have the following symptoms you need to monitor
Blood in the toilet or on the toilet paper after defecation Fever Weight loss Fatigue. To relieve symptoms of constipation need:
Eat foods high in fiber. Good choices are fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Drink plenty of water and other fluids. Go to the toilet as soon as needed, do not hold back defecation Take laxatives. These are medicines that make bowel movements easier.

Here are the most common tests doctors use to find the cause of constipation:
Rectal examination Colonoscopy Colonoscopy X-ray or MRI of the abdomen Effective treatment of constipation depends on a lot causes of constipation. However, in the process of treating constipation, the first thing you need to do is try eating more fiber and drinking more water. If that doesn't help, your doctor may recommend:
Laxatives Change what you are taking for other conditions Enemas.

5. Prevention of constipation

You can reduce the risk of constipation again in the following ways:
Eat a diet full of fiber. Fiber is found in vegetables, fruits, tubers and whole grains. Drink water and other liquids during the day Do gentle exercises to improve abdominal circulation, the ability to work the pelvic floor muscles, and make bowel movements easier. Go to the toilet at the right time every day, Go to the toilet at a certain time and sit on the toilet in the right posture.

Currently, Vinmec International Hospital is applying a treatment method for cases of constipation due to a decrease or loss of defecation reflex by anal electrical stimulation combined with interference waves, biofeedback (Biofeedback). ). The above method has helped > 80% of patients to recover the defecation reflex, improve bowel motility and the process of excreting stool, helping to improve constipation.
Depending on the patient's constipation, the doctor will appoint necessary investigations such as: Colonoscopy with contrast, anorectal pressure measurement, assessment of bowel function and pathologies. related to the pelvic floor... to find the cause, thereby giving the optimal treatment regimen. Hundreds of patients of different ages have achieved the desired treatment results. The most important criterion for evaluating treatment success is that the patient has regular bowel movements every day, easier to pass ...
Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the hospitals that not only ensures quality. expertise with a team of doctors and nurses, a system of modern equipment and technology, but also outstanding with comprehensive and professional medical examination, consultation and treatment services; civilized, polite, safe and sterile medical examination and treatment space.
For detailed information, please contact the hospitals and clinics of Vinmec health system nationwide.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

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