Constipation

Constipation is a condition that every person can experience from time to time. Rarely, it can be an indication of a serious illness. Abdominal tension and bloating are common symptoms of constipation. When constipation is mentioned, infrequent defecation is generally understood. A normal, healthy person may go to the toilet three times a day or three times a week. The numerical changes may vary depending on the foods that the person takes, the amount of calories, fluids and daily activities. In addition to infrequent defecation, difficult, hard and painful defecation can also be expressed as constipation. In most patients, constipation can be treated with simple lifestyle changes.

How does constipation develop?
Our small intestines receive an average of 10 liters of fluid per day. The source of this is the liquids we drink, stomach, bile, pancreas and intestinal secretions. 90% of this liquid is absorbed from the small intestines and the remaining 1 liter of liquid passes into the large intestines. Here, too, as it progresses towards the end of the intestines, approximately 90% of the content is absorbed and approximately 100 ml per day reaches the rectum, which is the last part of the intestines. Under normal conditions, when the rectum is stretched, we feel like a toilet, and we voluntarily go to the toilet by relaxing our muscles in the anus (the part where the intestine opens out). When this feeling occurs, if we do not go to the toilet and delay this feeling, the stool will stay in the rectum for longer and more fluid will be drawn from it, the stool volume will decrease and the toilet feeling will disappear, the stool will also become hard. It can be a problem to pass hard stools the next time you feel like going to the toilet. When the feeling of defecation occurs, delaying it also causes the rectum to expand over time, which prevents the normal amount of stool from creating a feeling of defecation. Thus, a vicious circle is formed.

Apart from this explanation, in some cases that reduce bowel movements, as the stool stays in the intestines for a long time, a lot of fluid is drawn and a small amount of stool comes into the rectum, which does not create a toilet feeling.

What are the causes of constipation?
Many reasons can cause constipation. The most important ones can be listed as follows:
-Not having enough fiber in the diet
-Inactivity
-Not drinking enough fluids
-Delaying it when toilet feeling occurs
-Stress and anxiety
-Change in lifestyle; such as pregnancy, travel
-Side effects of some drugs
-Some diseases involving the intestines or other organs (Ex: Thyroid, diabetes, etc.)

How is it treated?
Your doctor will ask you questions about your constipation problem and digestive system, and evaluate your bowel movements, diet and lifestyle, and medications you take. All these questions will give your doctor information about possible causes of your problem. After a detailed examination, perhaps some tests will be necessary. As in many cases, if a disease that can cause constipation is not detected, he or she will tell you about the prevention measures and give you medications to make your stool normal. There are two main types of drugs. The first is fiber-containing, and the second is stool softeners.

How can we avoid constipation?
The simplest way to prevent constipation is to go to the toilet immediately when the feeling of toilet occurs from childhood. Postponing the feeling for reasons such as when my job is done or I go to the toilet when I go home plays an important role in the development of constipation. In addition, not getting enough fiber with food, insufficient exercise, insufficient fluid intake, stress, pregnancy, travel and taking drugs that can reduce bowel movements can also cause constipation. Correction of these conditions plays an important role in the correction of constipation.

When should I go to the doctor because of constipation? Constipation is usually a temporary condition and can be easily corrected. However, sometimes it can be a sign of a serious illness and requires an absolute doctor visit. These conditions can be listed as follows:
-Newly onset of unexplained constipation
-Change in newly emerged bowel movements
-Constipation that persists for more than one week despite dietary adjustments, exercise and other measures
-Blood in stool

-Inability to pass gas with constipation (inability to wind)