Constipation refers to less than three bowel movements in a week. It is the inability to completely empty your bowel or pass stool regularly. A person affected by constipation has a delayed or infrequent emptying of dry hardened feces. Though it affects people of all ages, it affects twice as many women as men and is more common in older adults and during pregnancy. Constipation occurs as a result of too much absorption of water from the food by the body before the waste is stored in the rectum. However, constipation can also occur due to many other reasons.

Causes

a. Reduced fiber in diet which includes fruits, vegetables and cereals.
b. Change in eating habits or lifestyle or routine.
c. Ignoring the urge to pass stool.
d. Side effects of certain medicine.
e. Reduced or lack of fluid intake.
f. Depression and anxiety.
g. Physical inactiveness or lack of exercise.
h. In many people milk and dairy products can cause constipation.

Complications

Constipation can cause complications like rectal bleeding after continually trying to pass stool, anal fissures around the anus due to straining to open the bowel, swollen inflamed blood vessels of veins in the rectum and fecal impactions in which dried stools collect in rectum and anus leading to an obstruction in the path.

Diagnosis

Constipation is generally diagnosed based on one’s symptoms and medical history. General physicians throws up a questionnaire based on which a diagnosis is made, like

a. Do your bowels open less than three times a week?
b. Do you need to strain to open your bowel on more than a quarter of occasion?
c. Do you pass a hard or pellet like stool on more than a quarter of occasion?
The physician may then suggest for some tests for diagnosis like,
a. Physical examination: It includes internal rectal examination to feel for any stool that may have collected. This test is rarely carried out in a child.
b. Blood tests to rule out other conditions.
c. X-rays to produce images of the inside of your abdomen.

Treatment

The often recommended and first treatment includes changes in diet and lifestyle. Increasing the intake of dietary fiber, drinking plenty of fluids regular and more exercise helps to prevent constipation. Oral laxatives medications are recommended by doctors to empty bowels .Also try resting your feet on a height so that your knees are above your hips .This helps passing stool easier.