Signs Symptoms And Causes
You might feel bloated and have pain, or you might have to strain when you try to go.
Some medicines, and even some vitamins, can make you constipated. You can get constipated if you do not get enough fiber, drink enough water, or get enough exercise. You can also get constipated if you put off going to the bathroom even though you have the urge to go.
Try to get to know your normal bowel movement pattern, so that you can keep constipation from getting worse.
How To Spot It And How To Stop It
If your child delays eliminations on purpose or by accident , intervene as soon as possible. Remind kids to take breaks to go to the bathroom or set aside bathroom time in their schedule.
Be sure the family diet is rich in fiber , and encourage water and other hydrating fluids.
While the D3 cycle is fairly common in young toddlers who are just learning to go independently, if older kids or adults have experienced the D3 cycle for a long period, it may be time to work with a nutritionist or a counselor.
How Constipation Can Cause A Hernia
It is generally understood that constipation leads to increased pressure on the abdominal wall.
The more the pressure, the more the chances of the herniation of abdominal contents through the weak area in the abdominal/ inguinal wall.
A hernia that is caused by pressure from constipation should be examined by a doctor, even if the constipation is dealt with.
Surgery is considered to be the only option for treating a hernia. Surgery repairs the weak defect in the abdominal wall.
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Eating When You Have Constipation
Try these things to relieve your constipation:
- Do not skip meals.
- Avoid processed or fast foods, such as white breads, pastries, doughnuts, sausage, fast-food burgers, potato chips, and French fries.
Many foods are good natural laxatives that will help you move your bowels. High-fiber foods help move waste through your body. Add foods with fiber to your diet slowly, because eating more fiber can cause bloating and gas.
Drink 8 to 10 cups of liquids, particularly water, every day.
Ask your health care provider how much fiber to take each day. Males, females, and different age groups all have different daily fiber needs.
Most fruits will help ease constipation. Berries, peaches, apricots, plums, raisins, rhubarb, and prunes are just some of the fruits that may help. Do not peel fruits that have edible skins, because a lot of the fiber is in the skin.
Choose breads, crackers, pasta, pancakes, and waffles made with whole grains, or make your own. Use brown rice or wild rice instead of white rice. Eat high-fiber cereals.
Vegetables can also add fiber to your diet. Some high-fiber vegetables are asparagus, broccoli, corn, squash, and potatoes . Salads made with lettuce, spinach, and cabbage will also help.
Legumes , peanuts, walnuts, and almonds will also add fiber to your diet.
Other foods you can eat are:
- Fish, chicken, turkey, or other lean meats. These do not have fiber, but they will not make constipation worse.
- Snacks such as raisin cookies, fig bars, and popcorn.
What Are The Symptoms Of Constipation
Symptoms of constipation include:
- You have fewer than three bowel movements a week.
- Your stools are dry, hard and/or lumpy.
- Your stools are difficult or painful to pass.
- You have a stomach ache or cramps.
- You feel bloated and nauseous.
- You feel that you havent completely emptied your bowels after a movement.
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Dark Stool Or Blood In The Stool
Bleeding in the stomach or intestines can lead to dark or tarry stool.
Dark blood in stool indicates bleeding high up in the digestive tract. The blood has had time to travel through the persons system and lose oxygen, giving it a darker color. Bright-colored blood may indicate bleeding lower in the digestive tract.
Bleeding can occur for a range of reasons, including bowel inflammation, a tear or tissue damage in the intestines, a bleeding ulcer, or a tumor, which may indicate bowel cancer.
Everyday factors can also cause dark stool, such as eating blueberries or licorice or taking iron tablets. However, if a person is bleeding from the rectum or they notice blood in their stool, they should speak to a doctor right away.
People with chronic constipation may strain too much and develop hemorrhoids. These are small pockets of tissue around the rectum and a common site of bleeding in the lower gastrointestinal tract.
Hemorrhoids can cause small amounts of bright red blood to appear in stool.
Minor hemorrhoid bleeding is not a cause for concern, but a large amount of bright red blood in stool constitutes an emergency. It could indicate a damaged area of the intestinal tract that requires swift medical attention.
Does The Keto Diet Cause Constipation
Constipation can be defined as having difficulty emptying the bowels and is usually associated with hardened feces. When youre constipated, food waste moves slower through the digestive tract.
The ketogenic diet is a very low-carb, high-fat diet. Can a low carb diet cause constipation? Its possible, especially in the transitional period when you make the change from your previous dietary habits to your new keto lifestyle. This is why its so important to follow a keto diet in the healthiest manner possible.
Many people are used to getting their fiber from processed high fiber cereals before they go keto. Then they switch to a keto diet and dont realize there are still many healthy sources that are very low in carbs yet have plenty of constipation-preventing fiber.
However, its helpful to know that keto constipation and diarrhea can both occur. It all depends on how your body reacts to your new diet. You may not experience either digestive symptom or you might experience diarrhea rather than constipation. So does keto diet make you poop? For some people, it may increase bowel movements, but thats not always the case.
According to John Riopelle, DO, a gastroenterologist for Kaiser Permanente, Any time you make a big change to your diet, theres the chance it will affect your gastrointestinal health. Whats more, everyones colon is unique, which is why some people may be stricken with constipation, others with diarrhea, and still, some may not notice a change at all.
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Diseases That Mimic Constipation But Can Be Deadly
There are quite a few diseases out in the world that could be deadly to a goats well-being. Its important to stay on top of what your goat is eating, drinking, as well as where theyre going. Goats have somewhat sensitive stomachs, so their dietary needs need to be met in order prevent them from getting constipated or getting diseases that can lead to death. So, here are a few diseases that look as though they mimic constipation, but can be caught and treated.
Caseous Lymphadenitis
This is bacterial infection that attacks the lymph nodes of a goat. It can easily pass between goats as well as sheep. What this disease does is prevents the goat from being able to gain or keep on weight, which will prevent them from going to the bathroom. It is most often contracted through something they lick or eat, which makes it easier to contract considering they use their mouths for everything. The scary part is that it can be transmitted to humans, but doesnt happen often.
Bloat
Bloating occurs when a goat eats too many legumes and not enough fresh hay. Goats should eat dry hay, and only have occasional leaves of legumes rather than constantly being fed alfalfa, cowpea, or lespedeza. 90% of a goats diet should consist of grazing hay, which will be about 1-3% of its body weight.
Heat Stress
How Is Constipation Diagnosed
The healthcare provider will ask about your childs symptoms and health history. He or she will give your child a physical exam. Depending on how old your child is, you might be asked questions such as:
- How old was your baby when he or she had their first stool?
- How often does your child have a bowel movement?
- Does your child complain of pain when having a bowel movement?
- Have you been trying to toilet train your toddler lately?
- What foods does your child eat?
- Have there been any stressful events in your child’s life lately?
- How often does your child poop in his or her pants?
Your childs provider may also want to do some tests to see if there are any problems. These tests may include:
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Can Constipation Cause Diarrhea
Just when you thought constipation and diarrhea were on opposite ends of the spectrum, you realize both can occur in one vicious cycle!
While it might sound strange, it is possible to experience constipation that causes diarrhea. This is an uncomfortable pattern, so its important to know how it happens and how to deal with it.
How To Fix A Goats Constipation
Though this isnt a pleasant experience for your goat, or for you, you certainly can administer an enema to your goat in order to soften their rectum and poop to come out smoothly. Most often you can use warm, soapy water inserted into their rectum in order to help alleviate the pressure that has built up. Once youve given them an enema, you can also finish by giving them some Epsom salts to eat. Epsom salts are some fast acting laxatives for goats, and will help finish off the enema.
For a baby goat, it is relatively similar to how you would help an infant to poop. You can press gently on their stomachs in order to help move excess gas and poop out in order to help alleviate their stress. Youll notice that they are arched and not eating as often as normal. Of course, youll be checking on the kid often, so it will be easy to catch them and help them quickly before they have the possibility of dying.
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While you might need an early-morning coffee fix or a nightly wine-and-dine for your sanity, swigging excess caffeine and alcohol could rob your body of the hydration it needs to have a proper bowel movement. “Drinking alcohol inhibits anti-diuretic hormone , and in doing this it causes diuresis, or urination,” says Bhavesh Shah, M.D., medical director of interventional gastroenterology at Memorial Medical Center in Long Beach. “More diuresis can lead to dehydration, which can make the symptoms of constipation worse. Likewise, caffeine is a stimulant that can cause the opposite effect of diarrhea in some individuals.”
Water might not exactly be a beverage that’ll turn your mood around on a dime, but it’s the best thing to pour in your glass when you’re feeling stopped up. “Adequate daily fluid intake is essential, and the average healthy woman should try to consume at least 91 ounces of water daily,” says James-Stevenson. If you like to have options in terms of flavor, prune juice is the go-to alternative to the clear stuff for constipation relief.
This easy water bottle hack will help you stay properly hydrated every single day:
For those of us who can’t get by without our Greek yogurt, the good news is that not all dairy has to be off-limits: “Good alternatives with lower amounts of lactose include lactose-free milk sherbets ‘hard’ cheeses, like Swiss, parmesan and blue and yogurt,” says James-Stevenson.
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Constipation can occur when the lines of communication between the brain and the colon are frayed. Patients with such dyssynergic defecation may never have learned how to poop or have somehow forgotten how to. Others, such as survivors of sexual abuse, carry mental scars that often manifest as constipation.
The traditional approach to treating constipation relies on using laxatives and bulking agents such as fiber. The evidence base for most laxatives, though, is poor. Of commonly available over the counter laxatives, polyethylene glycol has shown the best results in clinical trials and was even found to be better than a new prescription drug.
The key to ending chronic constipation is by treating the colon like the highly intelligent organ that it is.
Peace of mind is essential for defecation, with privacy being a big factor. Thats why many people have trouble defecating in a strange bathroom, or become constipated when they travel. Many patients in hospitals and nursing homes lack privacy, which can make defecation difficult.
Instead of drinking more fluids and getting more fiber from food or supplements, a better constipation-fighting strategy is to retrain the colon so it unlearns its bad habits.
Haider Warraich, M.D., is a fellow in cardiology at Duke University Medical Center and the Duke Clinical Research Institute, and author of Modern Death: How Medicine Changed the End of Life .
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When Can Constipation Kill You Find Out
Functional vs Organic Constipation: Which do you have?Functional Constipation Causes
- Bad diet – not enough fiber, for one, or drinking too little water .
- Psychosomatic – A deep, possibly subconscious wish to avoid defecation. Sometimes due to childhood painful bowel movements
- Stress – if you are tightly wound or anxious, it can affect the involuntary muscles of the internal anal sphincter
Organic Constipation Causes
- Medication Side Effects – Narcotics are especially notorious for causing constipation, but diuretics, antidepressants, antihistamines, muscle relaxants, OTC antacids, and certain Calcium Channel Blockers all play a role in causing painful constipation symptoms
- Metabolic and Muscular – Celiac disease is gaining awareness as a cause of organic constipation. Cystic Fibrosis, Diabetes and Hypothyroidism can also be underlying causes!
- Structural Abnormalities – A wide range of abnormalities can cause organic constipation, including anal fissures, colon cancer, Parkinson’s, Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, and proctitis
Usual Treatments for Constipation ReliefAlternative Constipation Treatments
Feeling Stopped Up Find Out What Could Be To Blame For Your Constipation And Get Tips For Finding Relief
Constipation: Its not exactly a topic most of us like to talk about, but its something almost all of us experience on occasion. According to the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, a whopping 80% of people suffer from constipation at some point in their lives. For most of us, constipation is only temporary, but some of us develop chronic constipation.
When youre constipated you have hard, dry stool, difficulty eliminating a bowel movement or infrequent bowel movements fewer than three a week. You also often have pain, cramping and bloating.
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You Run The Risk Of Anal Fissues
The hazard of not having enough lubrication in a stool as you attempt to pass it can be that it gets stuck and tears the skin. This is called an anal fissure, and it’s just as glam as it sounds. It’ll likely put blood on the feces and in the toilet bowl, but it can be treated with help from laxatives and special treatment from your GP. If you do see blood or feel pain while passing stool, don’t wait: go see a doctor and be upfront about your bum.
‘gross Failure’ In Man’s Care Led To Death From Constipation
Inquest into death of man with Downs syndrome criticises care home and hospital over his treatment
An inquest into the early and preventable death of Richard Handley, a young man who had Downs syndrome and suffered lifelong constipation, has found gross very significant failures at almost every stage of his care.
The coroner, Peter Dean, criticised Mr Handleys care provider, GP practice, psychiatrist, social workers and staff at Ipswich hospital when he recorded a narrative verdict at Ipswich coroners court. The multiple omissions of care, he said, created an extreme and tragic situation that led to Mr Handleys death from constipation, a condition that one is not expected to die of.
Aged just 33, Mr Handley died suddenly in Ipswich hospital in November 2012 after a heart attack caused by inhaling his own liquid faeces, vomited up because his bowel was severely obstructed by faecal impaction. His abdomen was, one doctor noted, the size of that of a woman who was 40 weeks pregnant.
The coroner made a finding of gross failure in the actions of Ipswich hospital. The inquest heard that the hospital did not respond appropriately to Mr Handleys increased Modified Early Warning Score , designed to flag any deteriorating changes in a patients condition.
Changes to Mr Handleys diet and the decreased monitoring of his bowel movements at his care home also contributed to his worsening constipation and ultimately led to his death, law firm Hodge Jones & Allen said.
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Prevention Of Fecal Impaction
After a fecal impaction has been treated and the rectum has been cleared of stool, its important to carefully follow a bowel retraining program to prevent another episode.
You’ll probably be instructed to:
- Drink plenty of water.
- Eat sufficient amounts of fiber. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases , adults should get 25 to 31 grams of fiber a day. The exact amount depends on your sex and age.
- Use the bathroom regularly when you feel the urge to defecate, dont delay.
- Get regular exercise.
- Try bowel training, which involves conditioning yourself to pass stool at around the same time each day to avoid developing severe constipation again.
- Try Kegel exercises, which may help strengthen pelvic and rectal muscles.
Occasionally using over-the-counter stool softeners or fiber supplements can help as well. But be aware that using laxatives too often can compound the problem, making it more difficult to pass stool.