What Are The Side Effects Of Constipation

How To Prevent Medication

Not everyone will become constipated when using these medications. However, you should be aware of the possible side effects and what you can do to prevent constipation.

In general, you want to make sure you are well hydrated with water, not coffee or carbonated beverages, says Dr. Curtin. You also want to have a healthy amount of fiber in your diet and try to limit processed foods. It is worth asking your doctor if there are alternative agents. Calcium channel blockers, used for high blood pressure, such as diltiazem, for example, are notorious for causing constipation. If there is another class of medication that can treat the underlying health problem, you should at least be given the option.

Fortunately, there are some relatively simple nonpharmacologic approaches to preventing constipation.

Effect Of Constipation On Brittle Nails And Fine Hair

Undernourishment can affect the growth of both hair and nails. And as we know, the lack of healthy flora in the gut can also reduce the intake of many essential nutrients for energy and growth. If too much toxin is reabsorbed into the bloodstream, it will not help your cosmetology program, and you run the risk of brittle nails and thinning hair.

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Effects Of Constipation On Fatigue

Constipation and fatigue go hand-in-hand, with strong evidence for a connection between the two . A dysbiosis caused by constipation can increase the fermentation of carbohydrates and the production of various gases, including super smelly hydrogen sulphide thought to cause dysfunction of the mitochondria – the energy producers within our cells . A lack of healthy flora in the gut can also decrease the absorption of nutrients required for energy and normal physiological function . Impaired detoxification of toxic substances that can enter the bloodstream may also impact energy levels and cause fatigue.

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Making Sure Vaccines Are Safe

Vaccines must be tested to make sure theyre safe and effective before being approved for use in Canada. Once a vaccine has been approved for use in Canada, its monitored for:

• safety
• effectiveness in people

Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada share the responsibility for ongoing safety monitoring, which also involves:

• provincial, territorial and local public health authorities
• health care professionals

Get To Know Constipation

In general perception, constipation might refer to some abnormal bowel movements such as absence of stool, reduced frequency in defecation, and hard stools which are difficult to pass. Not only these abnormal conditions, constipation also includes one of these manifestations:

• Having lumpy or hard stools.
• Passing fewer than three stools per week.
• Difficult stool passage defined as needing help or longer time to empty the rectum.
• Straining to have bowel movements which might be presented with bloody stool.
• Feeling that rectum is not completely empty after bowel movement.

Constipation has been frequently found in women rather men. It can actually happen at any age groups, with more incidences in working age.

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How Does Medical Weed Cause Constipation

Because constipation is a rare side effect of medical marijuana, it hasnt undergone extensive studies by researchers. Early studies and patient experiences suggest forms of medical pot that pass through the digestive tract like oils and edibles can cause constipation due to their additional ingredients.

Another factor that may contribute to medical weed-induced constipation are cannabinoids specifically, tetrahydrocannabinol . Its thought that while cannabidiol can cause diarrhea, THC does the opposite.

As medical marijuana becomes increasingly integrated into healthcare and accepted by the medical community, its anticipated that more research will be conducted into its side effects and benefits, so patients can know what to expect and why.

The Effect Of Constipation On Anxiety And Depression

Mood and anxiety disorders have long been a scientific companion with constipation and other gastrointestinal disorders. Constipation is often considered a symptom, but recent neuroscientific studies have shown the importance of gut microbiota in developing cerebral symptoms. So there is another reason why you feel sick if you cant go to the bathroom. Earnings that people are often unaware of and the side effects of these types of constipation make a big difference in our daily lives.

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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.

What Can I Take For Constipation

In addition to lifestyle changes, there are over-the-counter laxatives and prescription drugs to relieve constipation. As with any medication, its important to seek professional medical advice from a doctor or pharmacist before using laxatives. Always read the medication guide before using any of the following products. While there are medications that cause constipation, others can cause other digestive problems, like stomach upset, vomiting, and diarrhea. Contact your doctor if you develop diarrhea, as it can be a sign of fecal impaction.

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What Should I Expect When I Talk To My Doctor About My Constipation

Talking to your doctor or anyone about your bowel movements is not the most pleasant of topics. Know that your doctor is there for you. Doctors are trained health professionals who have discussed just about every health topic you can think of with their patients.

Your doctor will first ask you questions about your medical history, bowel movements, and your lifestyle and routines.

Medical history

• What are your current and past diseases/health conditions?
• Have you lost or gained any weight recently?
• Have you had any previous digestive tract surgeries?
• What medications and supplements do you take for other disorders and for the relief of constipation?
• Does anyone in your family have constipation or diseases of the digestive tract or a history of colon cancer?
• Have you had a colonoscopy?

Bowel movement history

• How often do you have a bowel movement?
• What do your stools look like?
• Have you noticed any blood or red streaks in your stool?
• Have you ever seen blood in the toilet bowl or on the toilet paper after you wipe?

Lifestyle habits and routines

• What food and beverages do you eat and drink?
• What is your exercise routine?

Your doctor will also perform a physical exam, which includes a check of your vital signs . He or she will use a stethoscope to listen to the sounds in your abdomen. Your abdomen will also be touched to check for pain, tenderness, swelling, and lumps.

What Exams Procedures And Tests Help Diagnose The Cause Of Severe Constipation

Medical history

Many tests can diagnose severe constipation, and most people only need a few basic tests. First the doctor or health care professional will take a medical history and physical examination to allow the doctor to define the type of constipation that’s present uncover any supplements or prescription products you are taking or diseases or other health problems you have. This, in turn, directs the diagnosis and therapy. For example, if defecation is painful, the doctor knows to look for anal problems such as a narrowed anal sphincter or an anal fissure. If small stools are the problem, eating foods low in fiber may be the cause. If the patient is experiencing significant straining, then pelvic floor dysfunction is likely.

A careful dietary history-which may require keeping a food diary for a week or two-can reveal a diet that is low in fiber and may direct the physician to recommend a high-fiber diet. A food diary also allows the physician to evaluate how well an individual increases his dietary fiber during treatment.

Other tests are available for people who have severe constipation that doesn’t respond easily to treatment.

Physical examination

Blood tests

Blood tests may be appropriate in evaluating your condition. More specifically, blood tests for thyroid hormone and for calcium may be helpful.

Abdominal X-ray

Barium enema

Colonic transit studies

Defecography

Anorectal motility studies

Magnetic resonance imaging defecography

Colonic motility studies

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No Toxins Don’t Build Up In Your Bowel

This is a common misconception, but it’s an incorrect one. Yes, stool is made up of waste, and is meant to be exiting the body but the colon is pretty good at containing it, even in cases of constipation, and its presence will cause you discomfort but not sicken you through the extended presence of “toxins”. The only real risk of bacterial infection is if waste products manage to get into any wounds in the colon or rectum, and that’s by no means a guaranteed side effect more like very bad luck.

What Are Treatments For The Causes Of Constipation

There are several principles in approaching the evaluation and treatment of constipation. The first principle is to differentiate between acute and chronic constipation. Thus, with acute constipation or constipation that is worsening, it is necessary to assess for the cause early so as not to overlook a serious illness that should be treated urgently. 2) start treatment early of constipation and use the treatments that have the least potential for harm, which will prevent constipation from worsening, and it will prevent potential damage to the colon that can be caused by the frequent use of stimulant products. 3) know when it is time to evaluate the cause of chronic constipation. Evaluation for the cause of chronic constipation needs to be done if there is no response to the simple treatments.

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How Long Will I Need To Take Laxatives For

If you’ve had constipation for a short time, your pharmacist will usually advise you to stop taking the laxative once your stools are soft and easily passed.

However, if your constipation is caused by an underlying medical condition or a medicine you’re taking, your GP may advise you to take laxatives for much longer, possibly many months or even years.

If you’ve been taking laxatives for some time, you may have to gradually reduce your dose, rather than coming off them straight away. If you have been prescribed a combination of laxatives, you’ll normally have to reduce the dosage of each laxative, one at a time, before you can stop taking them. This can take several months.

Your GP will advise you about when it’s best to stop taking long-term laxatives.

Pregnancy And Breastfeeding While Taking Ozempic

Its unknown if Ozempic is safe to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

If youre planning to become pregnant, youll need to stop Ozempic at least 2 months before trying to conceive. This waiting period ensures your body has fully cleared the drug from your system. If you become pregnant while using Ozempic, talk with your doctor right away.

If youre breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using Ozempic.

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Probiotics Can Cause Diarrhea

Studies have shown how helpful probiotics can be for infectious diarrhea, traveler’s diarrhea, antibiotic-associated diarrhea, and C diff diarrhea. However, they can cause diarrhea in some people.

This negative side effect should pass as your body gets fully adjusted to the new probiotics. In the long run, probiotics should not cause diarrhea. If you have diarrhea that lasts greater than 2 weeks while taking a probiotic then stop taking probiotics.

Can You Overdose On Probiotics

Probiotic-rich foods and supplements are generally considered safe. Your body is already filled with trillions of diverse bacteria, so overdosing is rare assuming that your immune system is healthy and functioning as normal.8

That said, you can always have too much of a good thing. Taking too many probiotics can create an unstable intestinal environment, which may result in many of the gastrointestinal side effects mentioned above, including diarrhea, abdominal pain, gas, bloating, and nausea.12

If you accidentally overdose on probiotics you should not be concerned as your gut microbiome will quickly reach a new equilibrium after you stop taking probiotics. An effective probiotic dose is 10 billion CFUs. Stick to a daily dose around 10 billion CFUs and only increase if needed such as when youre taking a course of antibiotics or have an underlying digestive issue.

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How Constipation Wrecks Your Health

Most people think of constipation as a symptom rather than the cause of their health problems. And for many functional gastrointestinal conditions like gut pathogens, leaky gut and food sensitivities, this is definitely the case – which is why you might want to get tested and uncover the root cause of your constipation – learn more about those HERE.

But, constipation itself can also be the root cause of other symptoms and conditions. Constipation can wreak havoc with your insides, stemming from one of three main issues 1. Toxin reabsorption in the colon, including excess hormones, that would normally be excreted in the stool . 2. Imbalance of intestinal flora, including a reduction in healthy species and overgrowths of unwanted bacteria or pathogens . 3. Structural and physical effects of large hard stools and the straining that commonly accompanies them .

It is these mechanisms that can cause a whole range of unwanted symptoms and are the side effects of constipation on the body that you may be struggling with right now…

Pharmacy First Scotland: Constipation Treatment From Your Pharmacy

Constipation isn’t usually serious and can be treated by a pharmacist. Your pharmacist may recommend that you contact your GP practice if required.

Also speak to your pharmacist if you think your child might be constipated. Laxatives are often recommended for children alongside diet and lifestyle changes.

You may be able to treat constipation yourself by making simple changes to your diet and lifestyle . If these changes don’t help and the problem continues, you should see your pharmacist.

However, you should see your GP for advice if:

• you notice any rectal bleeding
• you notice any unexplained weight loss
• you have persistent tiredness
• your constipation lasts longer than 14 days without improvement

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Medical Causes Of Constipation

Constipation is sometimes symptomatic of underlying medical problems, such as:

• Slow transit some people naturally pass motions less often than most people. It seems their bowel pacemaker may be less active. These individuals are more likely to become constipated with minor changes in their routine.
• Anal fissure a tear in the lining of the anus . The person may resist going to the toilet for fear of pain.
• Obstruction the rectum or anus may be partially obstructed by, for example, haemorrhoids or a rectal prolapse.
• Rectocoele the rectum pushes through the weakened rear wall of the vagina when the woman bears down or strains.
• Hernia an abdominal hernia can reduce intra-abdominal pressure, which makes it more difficult to pass a motion.
• Abdominal or gynaecological surgery a combination of change in routine, strange surroundings, post-operative pain and codeine-containing analgesics is a potent cause of constipation and often needs preventive care.
• Irritable bowel syndrome characterised by abdominal pain, bloating, and either constipation or diarrhoea or alternating constipation and diarrhoea.
• Problems of the endocrine system such as hypothyroidism, diabetes or hypopituitarism.
• Tumour pain while trying to pass a stool could be a symptom of rectal cancer.
• Diseases of the central nervous system such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinsons disease or stroke are associated with an increased susceptibility to constipation.

Can Ozempic Cause Weight Loss

Yes, Ozempic can cause weight loss in some people. Although the drug isnt approved for weight loss, some people using Ozempic in studies lost weight. In these studies, Ozempic was either used alone or with other treatments for type 2 diabetes.

Another diabetes drug, Saxenda , is approved for weight loss in people with type 2 diabetes. Saxenda is in the same drug class as Ozempic.

Saxenda cant be used with Ozempic. If youre interested in learning more about Saxenda or other weight-management treatments, talk with your doctor.

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Probiotics Can Cause Gas

The most common negative side effect of probiotics is mild gas and bloating. This usually happens when you first begin taking probiotics but usually gets better with use.

What causes gas and bloating? Gas and bloating means that your digestive system is not breaking down and absorbing your food completely. The undigested food gets passed into the gut where probiotics and other gut microbes ferment the undigested food and produce gas.

The feeling of bloating is usually because your body is not used to the increased probiotic activity. Taking a probiotic can increase the number of probiotics inside your gut. This increased microbial activity produces additional gas which your body is not used to.

After the initial period , your body should gradually adapt to the new friendly bacteria, allowing for improved digestion.

If your gas and bloating do not get better while taking probiotics there are two things you can do:

1. Try taking a digestive enzymes supplement along with your probiotics to help your body break down, digest, and absorb food. More complete digestion helps reduce gas and bloating.

2. Try taking the probiotics on an empty stomach before bed. Probiotics can produce gas when provided with certain kinds of foods and taking probiotics before bed minimizes the chance of that happening.

Effect Of Constipation On The Estrogen Domain

We are exposed to many sources of environmental estrogen through toxins such as plastics, drugs and hormones contained in the animal proteins we consume. This means that most people have excess estrogen in their bodies that they need to excrete daily. In the case of constipation, this excess estrogen is reabsorbed in the colon. It can cause elevated estrogen levels, a condition associated with allergies, weight gain and malaise.

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Talk To Your Medical Marijuana Doctor About Your Constipation

Even though medical cannabis poses several side effects, most doctors and patients find its benefits outweigh those risks. No matter what kind of experience youre having with medical weed, its essential to meet with your doctor regularly. They can provide personalized advice that considers your situation, symptoms, past treatments and preferences. If youre experiencing constipation or another side effect, contact your medical marijuana doctor.