Intestinal constipation is a condition that can cause symptoms such as difficulty to evacuate, hard, dry or small and less than 3 evacuations per week.
Also known as constipation or bowel prison, this condition can be caused by situations such as low fluid and/or fiber intake, frequent use of laxatives and physical inactivity, for example.
Also read: Constipation: what it is, symptoms, causes and treatment
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When constipation is persistent and does not improve with personal care, it is advisable to consult the gastroenterologist or general practitioner to diagnose and indicate proper treatment, which includes diet adjustments, exercise, intestinal training and, in some cases, surgery.
Symptoms of constipation
The main symptoms of constipation are:
- Difficulty to evacuate;
- Hard, dry or small feces;
- Feeling of incomplete evacuation;
- Abdominal distension;
- Less than 3 evacuations per week.
The person with constipation may also have hard belly, irritability, excess gases and blood presence in the stool or toilet paper.
Also read: 9 symptoms of constipation (and how to relieve)
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Constipation severe symptoms
According to complications of this condition, symptoms of severe constipation include discomfort or abdominal cramps, reduced quality of life, fecal incontinence and urinary retention, for example.
Children’s constipation
Infant intestinal constipation can be caused by situations such as low fluid and/or fiber intake, stress in the training of the use of the penicone, ashamed to use public toilet, not want to interrupt play or fear of pain to evacuate.
This condition can also be caused by the use of medicines or supplements or health problems such as celiac disease, hypothyroidism or diabetes.
The child with constipation may have symptoms such as two or less evacuations per week, pain or difficulty to evacuate and thick stools.
Also read: Constipation in the child: symptoms, causes and treatment
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Constipation in pregnancy
During pregnancy, women may have constipation due to the normal increase in progesterone hormone levels, which slows down the digestive system.
In addition, the use of iron supplements during pregnancy may also favor constipation.
Also read: Constipation in pregnancy: symptoms and how to treat
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How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of intestinal constipation is made by the gastroenterologist or general practitioner, through physical examination and evaluation of the symptoms and history of health and family of the person.
If you want to confirm the risk of constipation, make an appointment with the expert closer to you:
To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor may also request blood tests and image exams such as endoscopy, ultrasound, radius -x, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, for example.
Possible causes
The main causes of intestinal constipation are low fluid intake, fiber -poor feeding and not going to the bathroom when you feel like it.
In addition, frequent use of laxatives, physical inactivity, anxiety, depression or stress, and the side effects of some medications and supplements can also cause constipation.
Also read: 6 causes of constipation and what to do
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Diseases that cause constipation
Diseases that can cause constipation include:
- Celiac disease;
- Cystic fibrosis;
- Inflammatory intestinal disease;
- Sclerodermia;
- Tumor;
- Problems in the anatomy of the digestive system;
- Lesions in the spinal cord;
- Metabolic and endocrine changes such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, hypercalcemia and hypokalemia;
- Muscle diseases such as dry -plum belly syndrome, gastroschisis, down syndrome and muscle dystrophy.
Neurological conditions such as Hirschsprung disease, bifide spine, stroke, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis can also cause constipation.
Treatments for constipation
The treatments for constipation are:
1. Remedy for constipation
Remedies for constipation may be recommended by the doctor when changing habits is not able to improve this condition.
Thus, synthetic fibers, osmotic or pro-scine laxatives, mineral oil and glycerine suppository can also be indicated.
Also read: Remedies that fight constipation
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2. Diet
During constipation, the nutritionist may indicate the increase in fiber intake, which increase stool hydration and stimulate natural intestinal movements.
Thus, it is usually recommended prioritizing foods such as whole grains, legumes, seeds, vegetables and fruits.
Drinking a minimum of 1.5 to 2 liters of water a day is also important to moisturize the feces, making them softer and thus helping in evacuation.
Also read: DIET FOR ENTREPTINED DIRECTOR: What to eat and what to avoid (with menu)
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3. Exercise
Regular exercise, at least 3 times a week, such as walking, running, yoga and bodybuilding, is critical to treating constipation.
This is because the strengthened abdominal muscles increase the pressure on the intestine, helping to eliminate feces.
4. Homemade medicine for constipation
Some home remedies, such as dry plum tea, orange juice with papaya and sacred cascara tea, help treat constipation.
This is due to the fact that these home options are rich in fiber and other nutrients that stimulate intestinal movements and help moisturize feces.
Also read: 6 Home Remedies for Constipation
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5. Intestinal training
For adults, intestinal training can be done trying to evacuate at the same time every day, 15 to 45 minutes after meals such as breakfast or lunch, for example. This is because food intake helps the gut to move the feces.
It is advisable to go to the bathroom as soon as you feel like it, you can also use a stool to support your feet when sitting in the toilet.
In children already trained to use the penic, you can encourage it to use the bathroom, trying to evacuate for 5 to 10 minutes, always at the same time every day after the same meal.
6. Surgery
The doctor may recommend surgery to treat blockade in the anus due to rectal prolapse, when the person has no improvements to other types of treatment.
Surgery can also be indicated by the doctor to remove the colon, when the muscles of this part of the intestine do not work well.
Possible complications
Constipation can cause complications such as:
- Hemorrhoids;
- Anal fissures;
- Damage to the pelvic floor;
- Fecal incontinence;
- Urinary retention;
- Fecaloma;
- Rectal prolapse;
- Anal fistula
In children, intestinal constipation can cause anal fissures, rectal, hemorrhoid and crispse prolapse, a condition where the feces accumulate in the intestine and there is a leakage in the clothes, involuntarily and without it.
Also read: Encopresis: What is, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
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How to avoid constipation
Some tips to avoid constipation are:
- Increase fiber intake, prioritizing fruits, vegetables, legumes, seeds and whole grains;
- Drink plenty of water and other liquids throughout the day;
- Go to the bathroom whenever you feel like it;
- Try to evacuate daily at the same time;
- Practice physical activities regularly;
- Chew the food well.
It is also important not to use laxatives without medical advice, as prolonged use of this medicine can irritate the gut and cause dependence, reducing the natural stimuli of evacuation.
Source: www.tuasaude.com