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Ask
Hello doctor,
I often don't go to the toilet for a long time (5 days). Therefore, the abdomen is often distended and constantly deflated. Doctor let me ask, how is constipation in adults treated?
Nguyen Thi Huyen (1991)
Answer
Answered by Specialist Doctor I Le Nguyen Hong Tram - Gastroenterologist - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine, Vinmec Nha Trang International Hospital.
Hello,
With the question "How is constipation in adults treated?", the doctor would like to answer as follows:
Constipation is defined as the number of bowel movements less than 3 times per week. There are many causes of constipation, divided into two main groups: primary constipation and secondary constipation. The group of causes of primary constipation includes: normal bowel movement constipation, slow bowel movement constipation and pelvic floor dysfunction. The group of causes of secondary constipation includes: Due to unreasonable diet and activities, including: not drinking enough water; insufficient fiber intake; drinking a lot of coffee, tea or alcohol; eat a lot of foods rich in animal fats; ignore the feeling of wanting to go out, hold back; sedentary Structural causes include: anal fissures, thrombosed hemorrhoids, tumors obstructing the gastrointestinal tract, idiopathic rectal enlargement. Systemic causes include: hypercalcemia, hyperparathyroidism, hypokalemia, hypothyroidism, pregnancy. Nervous disorders: stroke, Parkinson's disease... Connective tissue diseases: scleroderma, lupus. Some medications can cause constipation: antidepressants, anticholinergics, narcotics, psychotropic drugs... Psychological problems (depression, anxiety..); Older people are more prone to constipation. The way to care for and treat constipation is to adjust the diet, increase the use of fiber, increase the amount of water you drink, and reduce the use of foods that cause constipation such as foods rich in animal fats; exercise, go to the bathroom at the same time every day; short-term use of certain laxatives (consult your doctor before use); Treatment of structural causes of constipation such as anal fissures, hemorrhoids, semi-obstruction...
If you still have questions about constipation, you can go to a Vinmec Health System hospital for examination and advice. ask you more. Thank you for trusting and sending questions to Vinmec. Wishing you lots of health.
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