Chronic Constipation
Chronic constipation is infrequent bowel movements or difficult passage of stools that persists for more than several weeks. This means having fewer than three bowel movements per week, for several consecutive weeks.
Though occasional constipation is very common, some people experience chronic constipation that can interfere with their ability to go about their daily life.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of chronic constipation include:
Constipation may be considered chronic if you've experienced two or more of these symptoms for the last three months.
Causes
Chronic constipation has many possible causes:
- Blockages in the colon or rectum
Blockages in the colon or rectum area can slow or stop stool movements from occurring. This can be caused by a number of factors:
- Difficulty with the muscles involved
Problems with the pelvic muscles involved in having a bowel movement may be the cause of chronic constipation. These problems often include:
- Problems with the nerves
Neurological problems can affect the nerves that cause muscles to contract and move stool through the intestines. The causes include:
- Conditions that affect hormones in the body
There are conditions that upset the balance of hormones that may lead to chronic constipation, these can include:
Diagnosis & Treatment
Diagnosis
Initially, to diagnose constipation, your doctor will carry out a general physical exam and a digital rectal exam. But for doctors to diagnose chronic constipation, they will use the following tests and procedures:
Treatment
Treatment for chronic constipation usually begins with changes made to diet and lifestyle. If those changes don't help, your doctor may recommend medications or an operation.
- Diet and lifestyle changes
Your doctor may recommend the following changes to relieve your chronic constipation:
- Laxatives
There are several different types of laxatives. Each works somewhat differently to make it easier to have a bowel movement. Your doctor will prescribe the right medication for your needs.
- Operation
Having an operation may be an option for you if you have tried other forms of treatment that haven't worked for you.
For people who have tried other treatments without success and who have abnormally slow movement of stool, surgical removal of part of the colon may be an option.
Care at Chartwell Hospital
At Chartwell Digestive Health we have a team of experienced gastroenterology specialists, dedicated to providing the best possible care for all of our patients.
We diagnose and treat common abdominal symptoms such as rectal bleeding, change in bowel habit and abdominal pain which can be distressing for patients. In most cases, the symptoms are due to underlying health problems. However, for more serious cases, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment is key to recovery.
Our specialist team use comprehensive examinations and testing to diagnose various conditions. In addition to testing blood and stool samples, our Consultant Gastroenterologists may use other diagnostic tools including colonoscopy, gastroscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, MRI, X-rays, and CT scans.
Doctors & Departments
Department
Gastroenterology
Doctors
Meet our team of experienced gastroenterology specialists