About this topic
Constipation is a problem that makes it harder to have bowel movements. With this, you may move your bowels fewer than 3 times a week. Stools may be hard, dry, and large in size. You may have pain when passing stools. Most of the time, constipation is just for a short time. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water each day.
- Limit your intake of beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol) and caffeinated drinks, such as coffee, tea, or cola drinks.
- Set a regular schedule to pass stools.
- Eat a high fiber diet.
- Do mild exercise such as a brisk walk.
- Move your bowels as soon as you feel the urge.
- Sitting in a warm bath may help you relax and feel like having a bowel movement.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help you move your bowels
- Soften stools, like mineral oils
- Add bulk to the stool, like fiber supplements
Will physical activity be limited?
Your physical activities will not be limited in most cases. Try to stay physically active. This may help treat hard stools ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
- Eat high fiber foods. These include whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
- Limit sugary, fatty, and starchy foods.
- Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water each day.
What problems could happen?
- Rectal bleeding
- Hemorrhoids
- Tears around the skin of the anus
- Hard stool may pack the large bowels very tightly. If this happens, the normal pushing action of the bowels is not enough to remove the stool. This is called fecal impaction.
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Do not ignore the urge to have bowel movements. Move your bowels as soon as you feel the urge to do so.
- Have a regular time for your bowel movements. The best time may be after breakfast or any other meals.
- Eat foods that are high in fiber such as whole grain breads and cereal. Eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day.
- Do not take drugs (laxatives) to help you move your bowels too often. Overuse of these drugs may harm your bowels and may make your health problem worse.
- Eat less sweets, cheese, and processed foods. These foods are high in fat or sugar and may cause hard stools.
When do I need to call the doctor?
Seek care right away or go to the ER if you have: ‚
- Lots of rectal bleeding
- Sagging of the rectum
- No bowel movement for more than 3 days
- Very bad belly pain with hard stools and fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills
Call your doctor if you have: ‚
- Change in bowel habits (hard stools alternating with loose stools)
- Very bad pain in the anus during a bowel movement
- Hemorrhoids
- White or chalk colored stools
- Cracks or a tear in the lining of your anus
- Hard stools for more than 2 weeks with returning belly pain
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what changes I need to make with my diet or drugs.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have lots of rectal bleeding or very bad belly pain with hard stools and a fever.
Where can I learn more?
FamilyDoctor.org ‚
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/constipation.html ‚
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse ‚
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/constipation/#who ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚