Everyone goes through constipation at some point. Fortunately, the condition easily dissipates with home remedies. However, this is not always the case. If underlying issues cause the condition, you need constipation treatment in Germantown, MD. Continue reading to learn about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of constipation.
Constipation is a condition that occurs when bowel movements are less frequent, and the stool becomes hard to pass. People have different bowel movement patterns. However, you are constipated if you have fewer than three bowel movements a week.
When you eat, the food moves through the digestive tract, where digestion takes place. Your body takes what it requires, and the partially digested food is transferred to the colon as a stool. Constipation happens when the colon absorbs excess water from your stool. The poop becomes hard in consistency and difficult to excrete from the body.
Although it is usual to constipate occasionally, certain people are more likely to do so than others. For example, older people have a slow metabolism. As a result, it leads to little muscle contraction strength in their digestive tract. Women often constipate due to changes in hormones. They constipate more in pregnancy because the baby presses against the intestines.
There are several causes of constipation. However, the most common causes, according to the primary care physicians in Germantown, are:
When you visit the primary care physician near you, they will ask about your symptoms. They will conclude you are constipated if you:
When you have symptoms of constipation, the doctor will do tests to determine the cause. The Germantown primary physician will perform several tests. These involve blood tests to check your hormone levels. They will also perform tests to view the muscles in the anus. The physician will use special tools to test for colon blockages and stool movement in the colon.
Mild constipation can be alleviated by lifestyle and medication changes. However, it is considered chronic constipation if your symptoms last several weeks. As a result, you will require the help of the primary care physicians in 20874.
You should contact the physician if you have been constipated for more than two weeks. Also, call them if you notice blood in your stool or experience pain during bowel movements. You should also seek treatment if you are frequently constipated and have lost weight. Contact us at Germantown Primary Health Care for diagnosis and treatment.
The first stage of constipation treatment in Germantown, MD, involves lifestyle changes. Your physician will recommend changes to increase the speed of stool in the intestines easing constipation. They will ask you to increase your fiber intake and exercise more often.
The expert can also prescribe laxatives for easier bowel movements. They may recommend stimulants that cause intestinal contraction and fiber supplements to add bulk to the stool. Your physician may also advise using lubricants, stool softeners, and suppositories.
If the measures above do not work, the physician will prescribe special medications. They help by drawing water into the intestines and helping stool move through the colon. In addition, you may be referred to a therapist to guide you through training the pelvic muscles. They will help you relax the pelvic floor muscles for easier bowel movements.
The last option for chronic constipation is surgery. This constipation treatment is recommended if the issue is caused by a rectocele, blockage, or stricture. The physician will surgically remove the colon’s affected part, improving bowel movement.
