Nearly every one of us experiences constipation from time to time. Older people are more likely to become constipated than younger people and children, but most times it’s not serious. At GastroDoxs PLLC, located in Cypress, North Houston, Texas, Dr. Bharat Pothuri is qualified and experienced in gastroenterology, hepatology, and nutrition. He has helped countless people around Houston find relief from constipation and get back to their routine. He will give you a personalized recovery plan that is right for you. To learn more about your treatment options available, call or book an appointment online today.
What Are The Possible Causes Of Your Constipation?
A variety of factors can alter the consistency or frequency of your bowel movements, resulting in constipation. One of the main causes of constipation involves your diet. A sudden change in your diet, consuming more dairy than usual, and lack of enough fiber can affect your bowel movement and cause constipation. Lifestyle factors such as overuse of laxatives, excess stress, and taking antacid medications that contain calcium or aluminum can cause constipation. Your normal bowel function can also be affected by a lack of getting enough exercise. More so, medical conditions, including hypothyroidism, pregnancy, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and particular prescription medications, can cause constipation. Dr. Bharat and his team will examine and get to the root of your discomfort and offer highly specialized care for constipation.
What Are The Symptoms Of Constipation?
Constipation is a condition that causes more difficult, infrequent, or incomplete bowel movements than normal. Regular bowel movement ranges from a couple of bowel movements per day to one every three days. Some of the common symptoms of constipation include; small or overly hard stools, straining to move bowels, vomiting, pain or swelling in the belly, and a feeling of an incomplete bowel movement. If you experience such symptoms and the condition does not improve in a day or two, it’s recommendable that you consult a medical professional for screening.
When Is Constipation Considered Severe Enough To Seek Medical Attention?
While the doctor diagnoses mild constipation using your therapeutic history and physical examination, patients with chronic constipation require more extensive testing and treatment. If you get diagnosed with chronic constipation, your physician should rule out other illnesses associated with constipation such as irritable bowel syndrome or blockage in your intestine. For most people, occasional constipation heals itself after a couple of days. However, you should listen to your body’s signals and schedule and seek medical help if the condition persists. The best way to treat occasional constipation is by increasing your daily intake of water and more vegetables and fruits in your diet. Consider adding fiber-rich foods to your diet, including bran cereals and prunes. Over the counter, laxatives can offer relief to mild constipation, but you should not use them for more than several weeks.
Do not let constipation ruin your day. If you experience cramping and pain along with the inability to pass gas or stool, Dr. Bharat at GastroDoxs PLLC is dedicated to helping restore your normal bowel movement. Call or make an appointment online today.