Other Treatments for Constipation

Treatment for constipation may be directed at a specific cause. For example, the doctor may recommend discontinuing medication or performing surgery to correct an anorectal problem such as rectal prolapse, a condition in which the lower portion of the colon turns inside out.

People with chronic constipation caused by anorectal dysfunction can use biofeedback to retrain the muscles that control bowel movements. Biofeedback involves using a sensor to monitor muscle activity, which is displayed on a computer screen, allowing for an accurate assessment of body functions. A health care professional uses this information to help the patient learn how to retrain these muscles.

Surgical removal of the colon may be an option for people with severe symptoms caused by colonic inertia. However, the benefits of this surgery must be weighed against possible complications, which include abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Topics on Constipation:

Constipation

Complications of Constipation

Diagnosis of Constipation

Treatment of Constipation

Other Treatments for Constipation

Constipation in Children

Simple Tips to Relieve Symptoms and Prevent Recurrence of Constipation

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Content Excerpted from: Constipation. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). National Institutes of Health. NIH Publication No. 06–2754: February 2006

Page Last Revised: May 21, 2012

Complications of Constipation

Sometimes constipation can lead to complications. These complications include hemorrhoids, caused by straining to have a bowel movement, or anal fissures (tears in the skin around the anus) caused when hard stool stretches the sphincter muscle. As a result, rectal bleeding may occur, appearing as bright red streaks on the surface of the stool. Treatment for hemorrhoids may include warm tub baths, ice packs, and application of a special cream to the affected area. Treatment for anal fissures may include stretching the sphincter muscle or surgically removing the tissue or skin in the affected area.

Sometimes straining causes a small amount of intestinal lining to push out from the anal opening. This condition, known as rectal prolapse, may lead to secretion of mucus from the anus. Usually eliminating the cause of the prolapse, such as straining or coughing, is the only treatment necessary. Severe or chronic prolapse requires surgery to strengthen and tighten the anal sphincter muscle or to repair the prolapsed lining.

Constipation may also cause hard stool to pack the intestine and rectum so tightly that the normal pushing action of the colon is not enough to expel the stool. This condition, called fecal impaction, occurs most often in children and older adults. An impaction can be softened with mineral oil taken by mouth and by an enema. After softening the impaction, the doctor may break up and remove part of the hardened stool by inserting one or two fingers into the anus.

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Topics on Constipation:

Constipation

Complications of Constipation

Diagnosis of Constipation

Treatment of Constipation

Other Treatments for Constipation

Constipation in Children

Simple Tips to Relieve Symptoms and Prevent Recurrence of Constipation

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Content Excerpted from: Constipation. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). National Institute of Health. NIH Publication No. 06–2754: February 2006

Page Last Revised: August 26, 2011

Constipation in Children

Constipation occurs when bowel movements are hard and dry, difficult or painful to pass, and less frequent than usual. It is a common problem for children, but it is usually temporary and no cause for parents to be concerned.

Constipation usually occurs in children who do not eat enough fiber rich foods, drink enough liquids, or get enough exercise. It also happens when children ignore the urge to have bowel movement, which they often do out of embarrassment to use public bathroom, fear or lack of confidence in the absence of a parent, or unwillingness to take a break from play. Certain medicines or an underlying disease can sometimes cause constipation.

Symptoms of constipation include

 no bowel movement for several days or daily bowel movements that are hard and dry

 cramping abdominal pain

 nausea

 vomiting

 weight loss

 liquid or solid, clay-like stool in the child's underwear—a sign that stool is backed up in the rectum

Constipation can make a bowel movement painful, so the child may try to prevent having one. Clenching buttocks, rocking up and down on toes, and turning red in the face are signs of trying to hold in a bowel movement.

Treatment depends on the child's age and the severity of the problem. Often eating more fiber (fruits, vegetables, whole-grain cereal), drinking more liquids, and getting more exercise will solve the problem. Sometimes a child may need an enema to remove the stool or a laxative to soften it or prevent a future episode. However, laxatives can be dangerous to children and should be given only with a doctor's approval.

Although constipation is usually harmless, it can be a sign or cause of a more serious problem. A child should see a doctor if

 episodes of constipation last longer than 3 weeks

 the child is unable to participate in normal activities

 small, painful tears appear in the skin around the anus

 a small amount of the intestinal lining is pushed out of the anus (hemorrhoids)

 normal pushing is not enough to expel stool

 liquid or soft stool leaks out of the anus

Topics on Constipation:

Constipation

Complications of Constipation

Diagnosis of Constipation

Treatment of Constipation

Other Treatments for Constipation

Constipation in Children

Simple Tips to Relieve Symptoms and Prevent Recurrence of Constipation

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Sources:

National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC) (March 2004). Constipation in Children (NIH Publication No. 04–4633). Retrieved April 23, 2007. Web site: http://www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/constipationchild/index.htm

Page Last Revised: May 21, 2012

Common Causes of Constipation

Constipation is defined as having a bowel movement fewer than three times per week. People with the condition usually have hard, dry, small in size, and difficult to eliminate stools. Some people who are constipated find it painful to have a bowel movement and often experience straining, bloating, and the sensation of a full bowel.

To understand the condition, it helps to know how the colon, or large intestine, works. As food moves through the colon, the colon absorbs water from the food while it forms waste products, or stool. Muscle contractions in the colon then push the stool toward the rectum. By the time stool reaches the rectum it is solid, because most of the water has been absorbed.

Constipation occurs when the colon absorbs too much water or if the colon's muscle contractions are slow or sluggish, causing the stool to move through the colon too slowly. As a result, stools can become hard and dry.

Common causes of constipation are

• not enough fiber in the diet
• lack of physical activity (especially in the elderly)
• medications
• milk
• irritable bowel syndrome
• changes in life or routine such as pregnancy, aging, and travel
• abuse of laxatives
• ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement
• dehydration
• specific diseases or conditions, such as stroke (most common)
• problems with the colon and rectum
• problems with intestinal function (chronic idiopathic constipation)

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Topics on Constipation:

Constipation

Complications of Constipation

Diagnosis of Constipation

Treatment of Constipation

Other Treatments for Constipation

Constipation in Children

Simple Tips to Relieve Symptoms and Prevent Recurrence of Constipation

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Sources:

1. Digestive Diseases Dictionary A-D. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). NIH Publication No. 00-2750: February 2000

2. Constipation: What causes constipation? - National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). National Institute of Health. NIH Publication No. 06–2754: February 2006

3. NIDDK Image Library. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). National Institutes of Health.

Page Last Revised: August 26, 2011