Help with Constipation
A Constipation Checklist
With a touch of humor, right?
Please use this checklist as a quick reference to identify potential factors that may contribute to your constipation.
This guide is not meant to provide a comprehensive explanation of these factors or for self-diagnosis. Instead, it can help you formulate questions to discuss with your doctor during your visit or serve as a starting point for further research.
Please note that the following pictures are part of a slide deck. Move your cursor over or click the image for further details, and use the arrows to navigate.
What is constipation?
Let's review the Adult Rome IV criteria for functional constipation:
Have you had two or more of the following symptoms over the past six months:
- Manual maneuvering required to defecate for at least 25% of defecation attempts.
What other symptoms are associated with constipation?
Some additional symptoms of constipation may include:
- Bloating
- Fecal incontinence or smears in underwear
What can cause constipation?
1. Lifestyle causes:
The following lifestyle-related factors may contribute to constipation:
- Poor circadian rhythm.
- Not slowing down enough to have time to go to the restroom.
- Poor circadian rhythm.
2. Dietary causes:
The list of diet-related factors that contribute to constipation may include:
- Not drinking enough fluids.
- Diet heavy in meat.
3. Medical causes:
The following health problems may contribute to constipation by affecting your nerves, muscles, or hormones - and therefore your bowel movements:
- Constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Eating disorders
4. Medication causes:
The list of medications that can contribute to constipation includes:
- Medications for pain such as narcotics and NSAIDs
- Cholesterol medications such as statins and bile acid sequestrants
Please consult your doctor about your medications and constipation.
5. Problems with pelvic floor muscles:
The following list outlines issues when pelvic floor muscles are not functioning optimally, as well as other related factors that can lead to constipation:
- You have a weak pelvic floor and core.
- You have nerve damage in your pelvic floor or anal area.
Please consult your pelvic floor therapist to see if any of these apply to you.
4. Other causes:
- Female gender
- Pregnancy
What is the treatment of constipation?
1. Initial treatment:
Lifestyle modifications and the use of over-the-counter medications.
- Drink 6 - 8 glasses of water a day.
and other natural treatment options available.
Introduce more fiber slowly, while also increasing your fluid intake.
2. The second step:
An evaluation by a pelvic floor therapist for possible pelvic floor dysfunction.
After a thorough evaluation, your therapist may address the following:
- Reviewing your toilet posture and suggest a foot stool.
- Balloon biofeedback or bowel re-training if appropriate.
3. Surgery is rarely needed.
Why is straining while I have constipation a problem?
Occasional straining is not a problem, but repeated straining can cause the following health problems:
- Hemorrhoids affecting blood vessels around anus. (Use a hemhorrhoid cushion.)
pelvic organ prolapse.
When should I go see my doctor?
The following symptoms should prompt you to schedule an appointment with your doctor:
- Bleeding from the rectum
- Your symptoms last longer than three weeks or you cannot get rid of it
