Constipation: What Is It Due To?
Constipation is a fairly common condition that causes discomfort in those who suffer from it. The causes are numerous and the approaches are diverse. We explain in this article what this condition consists of.
Constipation has a medical definition, but it is also true that each person defines it personally. Each of us knows what is his normal rhythm of defecation and an alteration of this one is specific to each individual.
In strict and scientific terms, it is referred to as constipation when the frequency of bowel movements decreases. That is, when the bowel habit is less than what is considered normal for the general population. Thus, we can say that those who defecate less than three times a week are constipated.
There are people who throughout their lives defecate less than three times a week and do not suffer from gastrointestinal disturbances. However, many see their quality of life altered by reducing their rhythm and bowel habits.
It is estimated that over 15% of adults suffer from constipation. This is a significant number, which increases with age. For those over sixty, we could say that a third of the population suffers from it.
Constipation, depending on its duration over time, can take two forms :
- Acute: when the defecation rate decreases for a specific cause generally quite easily treatable. Sometimes a change in diet or a state of stress is the cause. In a short time, the cause resolved, the person returns to their usual pace.
- Chronic: constipation that is suffered for long periods of time, sometimes throughout life. It can be an almost innate condition that requires the person to take a series of steps to improve their quality of life.
Symptoms of constipation
While it is clear that the sign par excellence is the lack of good bowel movement frequency, the are constipated individuals may accompany this low defecation frequency :
- Great efforts to defecate : it is not easy for them to evacuate and they use their muscles excessively to achieve this, causing considerable fatigue.
- Sensation of obstruction : The constipated person feels that they have an obstruction in the intestine that does not allow the stool to move forward.
- Hard stools : Having less frequency, feces accumulate for long periods in the intestine, hardening due to dehydration. This adds to the difficulty of the act of defecation, increasing the discomfort.
- Incomplete emptying : once the defecation is finished, the constipated person is left with the feeling of not having been able to expel everything. Usually this feeling is real, and even though you have had a bowel movement, you may not have completely cleared the stool buildup from your bowel.