Discover chronic constipation causes, treatments, and relief options.
Learn ways to relieve constipation naturally, or when to see a doctor.
Think Youve Got Food Poisoning?
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In fact, the occasional bout of constipation can happen for all sorts of reasons.
Maybe youre traveling and are off your normalpoop schedule.
gastroenterologist and assistant professor of clinical medicine at theLewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia
Or maybe you skipped yourfiber-filled morning smoothie, which usually helps you go.
Odds are, your body gets itself back on track eventually.
Why does this happen?
And are there ways to get your gut moving again?
What is chronic constipation?
Things that can make you chronically constipated
Sometimes chronic constipation comes down to certain lifestyle factors.
Chronic constipation can also stem from an underlying health condition, says Dr. Mohan.
Just keep in mind:Chronic constipation from a health condition is likely to come with other symptoms.
If thats your case, call your doctor so they can help figure out the underlying cause.
gastroenterologist and assistant professor of clinical medicine at theLewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia
Some tips from Dr. Mohan are:
1.
Adding a lot of fiber too quickly may actually make your constipation worse, says theMayo Clinic.
This Medication-Free Poop Hack Could Not Only Help, but Its Fun Too
3. attempt to get at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week, per Dr. Mohan.
These supplements add bulk to your stool so its softer and easier to pass.
you’re free to work with your doctor to decide the best option for you.
Can chronic constipation cause any health complications?
This is why its important to let your doctor know about your symptoms.
FAQ
Can chronic constipation cause acid reflux or GERD?
But they often show up together, perhaps because both problems can be due to certain lifestyle habits.
In fact, a 2004Neurogastroenterology & Motility4study found that 28 percent of people with GERD also reported having constipation.
Can chronic constipation cause nausea or vomiting?
In most cases, no.
Nausea is a common symptom of fecal impaction, per theCleveland Clinic.
Can chronic constipation cause diverticulitis?
Diverticulitis is a condition where the small pouches in your GI tract can become inflamed or infected.
Some common risks for diverticulitis include low-fiber diets and chronic constipation, per theMayo Clinic.
Your doctor can do a CT scan of your abdomen to figure out whether you have diverticulitis.
Can chronic constipation cause colon cancer?
(Cancer happens when mutated cells in the colon begin to multiply and grow out of control.)
But any change in bowel habits, including constipation, can be asign ofcolon cancer.
So if you have any of these symptoms, its important to bring them up to your doctor.
They can do a colonoscopy to check the inside of your colon for any abnormalities.
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