Overview
Most people think
they should have a bowel movement every day to be “regular.” In
reality, most people have anywhere from 3 bowel movements a day
to 3 bowel movements a week. Constipation occurs when your
stools are hard to pass and/or your bowel movements are
uncomfortable.
While certain
medical conditions can cause constipation, it’s most commonly
caused by too little dietary fiber, too little exercise, not
drinking enough fluids, stress, or waiting too long to go to the
bathroom when you have the urge to go. Some medications can
cause constipation, and you can become constipated if you
overuse laxatives—becoming dependent on them to have a normal
bowel movement.
Signs and Symptoms:
-
Straining or discomfort when you have a bowel movement.
-
Feeling like you still have stool in your bowel after a
bowel movement.
-
Hard stool or stool that resembles pellets.
-
Bloating, abdominal pain, and/or gas.
Self-Care Measures
To maintain normal
bowel movements:
-
Go
to the bathroom when you feel the urge.
-
Drink at least 2 liters of water every day.
-
Get regular physical exercise—even just a daily walk.
-
Increase the amount of fiber in your diet by choosing whole
grains and eating 5 servings of fresh fruits or vegetables
every day.
If you’ve tried
the measures above and need more immediate relief:
-
Take an OTC bulk fiber supplement, a mild laxative, or a
product specifically labeled as a “stool softener.” Avoid
harsher laxatives.
-
Unless occasional use of enemas has worked for you in the
past, avoid them until you have first consulted a healthcare
provider.
Red Flags
Check in with the
nurse if there is..
-
No
improvement or worsening of symptoms despite self-care
measures.
-
Constipation that begins after years of normal bowel
movements.
-
Painful bowel movements and/or anal or rectal pain that
continues for a while after a bowel movement.
-
Constipation alternating with episodes of diarrhea.
-
Weight loss not due to intentional dietary or exercise
changes.
-
Inability to establish regular bowel movements without
laxative use. Severe, persistent abdominal pain.
-
Tar-colored stool or blood in your stool.
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