When there are occasional bowel movements and difficulty passing stool for several weeks, then chronic constipation occurs. Consistent constipation can become a reason for certain complications. Chronic constipation is referred to when there is no such reason for constipation. What are these health complications due to constipation? We will get to know. Constipation can be caused by various reasons. Therefore, follow health hygiene to avoid this problem.
Fewer bowel movement less than three times a week is defined as constipation. Everyone has their own unique and normal bowel movements. But the complications due to constipation occur when you stray too far from your pattern. The characterize of the stool is hard and dry. People suffer from painful, difficult, and unsatisfied bowel movements.
How Does Constipation Occur?
Constipation can happen due to changes in diet and low intake of fiber. The colon absorbs too much water from the waste, which dries the stool, making it hard and difficult to pass out of the body. The food passes from the digestive tract, and nutrients are absorbed. The unabsorbed food (waste food) passes to the small intestine, then to the large intestine,i.e., the colon. The food passes slowly through the digestive tract when you have constipation, making the stool dry and hard.
Common Constipation
Constipation is the most common and frequent gastrointestinal complaints. People of all age groups can experience it. Common constipation can be caused due to poor diet, less physical activities, pregnancy, irritable bowel syndrome, hormonal disturbance, loss of body salts, and some specific diseases. This can be treated by making water and food intake changes, regular exercise, or stool softener.
Severe Constipation
Severe or chronic constipation is referred to as irregular bowel movement and difficult passage of the stools for several weeks. It can last for three months or longer. Chronic constipation is disruptive to a personal and work life of a person. If it is not treated by diet and exercise changes, consult a doctor and take medication treatment. Females, adults above 65 years, people with the least physical activities, and pregnant women are at risk of experiencing chronic constipation. Untreated constipation can lead to several complications.
Health Complications Due To Constipation
1. Hemorrhoids
In this condition, a person finds himself straining to pass the stool. The straining causes the anus and lower rectum veins to swell, called piles or hemorrhoids. Piles cause itching, discomfort, pain, and swelling around the anus area. It may cause bleeding during bowel movements. Hemorrhoids can be treated surgically or non-surgically. Consider consulting the doctor if the signs and symptoms of the piles remain for longer than a week.
2. Anal Fissures
A small tear in the tissue of the lining of the anus is called anal fissures. The tissue tear is caused due to the straining during the bowel movement and passing of hard stool. You can see a tear around the anus and bump, or the skin present near the tear. An anal fissure can cause pain and bleeding near the area while passing the stool.
3. Diverticulitis
An infection of the diverticula is the inflammation of a tiny pocket on the colon or the large intestine wall. These pouches on the intestines are called diverticula. Fever, abdominal pain, and nausea are some common symptoms. Diverticulitis commonly occurs after the age of 40.
4. Fecal Impaction
Fecal impaction is the condition where the stool is piled up in the rectum, which is hard to push out. This hard mass of stool gets stuck in the colon or rectum that becomes impossible to push. People with bowel problems are prone to fecal impaction. And if not treated, this problem can result in death.
5. Stress Urinary Incontinence
Over straining for a longer period can cause damage to the pelvic floor muscle, which causes the urine to leak from the bladder. It brings a sudden pressure on the urethra and urinary bladder. This is referred to as the condition of stress urinary incontinence. Pelvic floor muscle helps in controlling the bladder.
6. Rectal Prolapse
The prolonged chronic constipation can cause the rectal prolapse condition, where the rectum of the large intestine fall of its normal place. The prolapse causes the part of the rectum to slip out of the anus. The sensation of the fullness of the rectum, unsatisfied bowels, itching, pain and irritation near the anus region, leakage of the blood, feces, and mucus from the anus, and visibility of red tissue protruding the anus are some sign and symptoms of the rectal prolapse.
Conclusion
Untreated constipation can cause a difficult situation. The person with constipation should make diet changes, increase the water intake, and increase physical activities. When the sign and symptoms of constipation remain persistent, consider consulting the doctor.
Read Also: 10 Natural Home Remedies For Constipation
