Chronic or severe constipation can be a difficult condition to manage, but there are steps you can take to help alleviate the symptoms. Eating a diet high in fiber, staying active, and understanding the underlying causes of constipation can all help you manage your condition. Including lots of high-fiber foods in your diet is one of the best ways to help manage chronic or severe constipation. Foods such as beans, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and bran are all excellent sources of fiber.
Eating fewer foods with low amounts of fiber, such as processed foods and dairy and meat products, can also help. Additionally, staying as active as possible and trying to exercise regularly can help keep your digestive system functioning properly. Chronic constipation is defined as difficulty defecating that lasts for several weeks or longer. It occurs when a person has difficulty emptying their large intestine and may experience pain, bloating, nausea, and other symptoms. Home remedies and lifestyle changes can often resolve it, but medical help may be needed if symptoms worsen or if they become severe.
People who spend several days or weeks in bed or sitting in a chair may have a higher risk of constipation. A person is generally considered to be constipated when bowel movements cause small amounts of hard, dry stools to be eliminated less than three times a week. Tests such as rectal exams can help detect tenderness, obstruction, blood, amount and size of stools and if there is an enlarged rectum. Constipation can cause complications such as hemorrhoids or anal fissures (tears in the skin surrounding the anus).Certain health conditions that affect the colon can prevent and restrict the passage of stools and cause constipation. Babies who consume formula milk may benefit from drinking more water between meals.
Some previous studies have found that people in good physical shape are less likely to experience constipation than other people. If you are experiencing difficulty passing stools due to chronic or severe constipation, it is important to talk to your doctor about your symptoms and any underlying causes. Eating a high-fiber diet, staying active, and understanding the underlying causes of constipation can all help you manage your condition.
