Constipation embarrassment happens to be even a bigger problem than constipation itself. Constipation might occur due to a number of reasons but the focus should be on the root cause of the problem and elimination of the same instead of avoiding the problem due to embarrassment. Let us delve a bit more into the topic for a better understanding.
What is Constipation?
Constipation occurs at the time when movements of the bowel become less frequent and the affected individuals face a lot of difficulty in passing stools, which is why people feel embarrassed due to constipation. Most often, it is as a result of changes in diet or routine, or due to insufficient intake of fiber in the diet. One should never feel embarrassment due to constipation, in fact it’s an issue that one should address immediately & get a constipation treatment on time.
Some of the key features of constipation are listed below that helps in identifying the problem.
- The stools become very dry and hard
- Bowel movement becomes very painful and stools become quite difficult to pass
- A feeling of not fully emptying of bowels
If you feel severe pain while passing stools, find blood in your stools, or constipation that lasts more than three weeks, it is recommended to opt for the constipation treatment in Delhi.
Cause of Constipation
There are a number of causes behind constipation that are categorized as follows.
Lifestyle Causes of Constipation
Some lifestyle causes resulting in constipation are listed below.
- A diet that is low in fiber content
- Insufficient water consumption
- Not exercising enough or no physical work or movement
- Changes in daily routine like traveling, different times of eating or sleeping
- Excessive stress
- Consuming a lot of milk or cheese
- Restricting the urge to clear bowels
Medication Causes of Constipation
Consuming the following medicines can lead to constipation.
- Strong painkillers like narcotics containing oxycodone, codeine, and hydromorphone
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as naproxen, ibuprofen
- Iron supplements or pills
- Antidepressants
- Allergy medications like antihistamines
- Antacids containing aluminum or calcium
- A few blood pressure medications like the calcium channel blockers nifedipine, verapamil, diltiazem, and beta-blockers atenolol
- Seizure or anticonvulsant medications like gabapentin and phenytoin
- Psychiatric medications like olanzapine, clozapine
- Anti-nausea medications like ondansetron
There are several others that can cause constipation, and hence it is always recommended to tell the healthcare expert about the medicines you take.
Health and Medical Conditions Causing Constipation
A few health and medical conditions that can cause constipation are mentioned below.
- Endocrine problems such as hypothyroidism, uremia, hypercalcemia, and diabetes
- IBS or irritable bowel syndrome
- Lazy bowel syndrome
- Colorectal cancer
- Outlet dysfunction constipation
- Diverticular disease
- Intestinal obstruction
- Neurologic disorders like multiple sclerosis, stroke, spinal cord injury, and Parkinson’s disease
- Different structural defects in the digestive tract
- Multiple organ diseases like scleroderma, lupus, and amyloidosis
- Pregnancy
It is always recommended to get over the feeling of constipation embarrassment and visit a healthcare expert to get the most appropriate help in this regard.
Common Symptoms of Constipation
Persistent symptoms should not be neglected at any cost and the best constipation treatment should be opted for to prevent the matter from worsening. Here are a few common symptoms of constipation that need careful monitoring over time.
- Having less than three bowel movements in a week
- The stools are hard and dry or lumpy
- A lot of pain or difficulty associated with passing stools
- Stomach cramps or ache
- A feeling of bloating and nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Feeling of not completely emptying bowels after a movement.
Noticing the signs and symptoms at the right time plays a significant role in getting proper treatment timely to prevent further complications making life easier.
Few Complications Associated with Constipation
Constipation happens to be quite uncomfortable as well as embarrassing but it is typically not life-threatening. Persistent constipation can lead to complications in the future and it can become a problem if there are symptoms of a more severe underlying condition like colorectal cancer. A few complications arising out of severe constipation include the following.
- Rectal bleeding after severe straining while passing stools
- Occurrence of a small tear around the anus referred to as anal fissure
- Occurrence of piles or symptomatic hemorrhoids that refer to the inflamed and swollen blood vessels in the anus
- Causing fecal impaction that occurs at the time when hard & dried stool gets stagnated in the rectum and anus, thereby leading to a mechanical obstruction
Other possible complications that vary from person to person include constipation, embarrassment, depression, and reduced quality of life. It would always be a very good idea to seek immediate medical help for constipation without any delay to avoid further complications.
Reasons Why People Feel Embarrassed About Constipation
Constipation has remained a taboo in society for no specific reason which is precisely the reason why people feel embarrassed about the same. Here are a few major reasons why people tend to feel embarrassed about constipation.
- A feeling of shyness works within the mind of the affected individuals which is why they are unable to discuss it
- People think about what would others feel or think of when they hear about constipation
- Many feel ashamed about constipation and they are even more ashamed to talk or discuss it
- Many believe that excretory problems cannot be discussed in public
- Some are of the viewpoint that constipation is a completely personal problem and it should be shared with anybody
Why People Should Not Feel Embarrassed About Constipation
Constipation is nothing different than other bodily problems or issues. Constipation is nothing but a problem faced when there is difficulty in passing stools. Thus, there is nothing to feel embarrassed about constipation, and the affected individuals should be able to discuss freely. Constipation should also be treated like other problems of the body like dandruff, skin rashes, and several others. Therefore, none of the affected individuals should ever feel constipation embarrassment but discuss it freely with their family members and healthcare experts for a proper treatment to get rid of the same.
How to Treat Constipation?
Constipation treatment in Delhi comprises a combination of self-care, changes in lifestyle, changes in diet, and a few prescription medications. The doctors recommend to prepare a plan of action for the affected individuals that helps in getting rid of constipation and other associated problems. In addition to this, the doctor also reviews the medicines or supplements taken by the affected individuals to check for any causative of constipation and checks whether those can be stopped or replaced with others. Surgery is an extremely rare treatment option for constipation. Surgery is recommended only when constipation is a result of a structural problem in the colon.
Why You Should Not Ignore Constipation?
Many people are quite embarrassed to talk about constipation, and hence they try to avoid, ignore, or discuss constipation. Here are a few reasons why you should not ignore constipation.
- Ignoring constipation might lead to a severe complication in the future
- Overall health condition might deteriorate
- Increasing pain as well as discomfort while passing stools
- Bleeding from rectum, the occurrence of piles, fissure, and other problems that might become serious over time if ignored
- Constant feeling of discomfort, bloated stomach, nausea, etc.
- Difficulty in sitting when pain in rectum and anus is severe
Thus, it is always recommended to consult a healthcare expert in this field to get the best possible treatment and get over this difficult situation of constipation.
FAQ’s on Constipation Embarrassment
1. Should You Feel Embarrassed While Talking About Constipation?
Constipation embarrassment is extremely common among the affected individual but there is nothing to feel embarrassed about. Constipation can be considered as a disease and you should be able to freely discuss the same with family members, and healthcare experts so that you can get the required help.
2. How Do I Know That I Have Constipation?
If you find bowel movement very difficult or painful on a regular basis over prolonged periods, it is the first indication of constipation and should not be ignored at any cost but discussed with family members as well as doctors.
3. How to Prevent Constipation?
Prevention of constipation is easy when the following tips are followed.
- Eating a well-balanced diet that is rich in fibers
- Drink about three to four liters of water every day to keep stool soft
- Avoid too much consumption of milk and milk products
- Limit the intake of drinks containing caffeine like coffee, and soft drinks
- Regular exercising helps prevent constipation
- Always make sure to move your bowels whenever you feel the urge without any waiting or delaying
4. When Should I Call in for the Help of a Doctor?
It is ideal to call in for the help of a doctor if constipation is persistent for more than three weeks and does not go away on its own. Here are a few signs that indicate the requirement for medical help.
- difficulty and pain to pass stool
- Presence of blood in stool
- Unintentional loss of weight
- Having the symptoms of outlet dysfunction constipation
It is always recommended to talk honestly and openly with the healthcare expert regarding the problem without feeling embarrassed even for a moment.
5. Can Constipation Lead to Cancer?
Severe and prolonged constipation over the years when left untreated might lead to colorectal cancer. Constipation is not life-threatening but can cause a lot of problems in daily life if ignored.
How Dr. Piyush Ranjan Helps in Dealing with Constipation?
Dr. Piyush Ranjan takes pride in offering the best constipation treatment in Delhi to help the affected individuals in the easy passage of stools along with avoiding constipation embarrassment. At any point in time, if you feel difficulty passing stools or very hard stools, it is recommended to immediately get in touch with Dr. Piyush Ranjan who would guide you appropriately in dealing with constipation. With several years of experience and expertise, the doctor knows exactly what needs to be done for each specific problem the patients face. Every affected individual can be assured of getting the best treatment here, thereby making their life easy and hassle-free during the passage of stools.