Defecation disorder is a common problem of a modern person. Constipation of varying severity affects about 50% of the adult population. Treatment of constipation is complex - if possible, the cause is eliminated, the diet is adjusted, medicines and folk remedies are used. Pathology can be treated at home or in a hospital, it depends on the duration of stool retention, the presence of additional symptoms and complications.

Constipation is often associated with lifestyle errors: improper diet, physical inactivity What it means Constipation is a disorder characterized by impaired bowel movement. Constipation is considered to be a bowel movement less than 3 times a week.. Lack of stool throughout the day is not constipation.

Constipation is manifested not only by stool retention, but also by a change in the consistency of feces. What feces look like:.

dry;

solid;

chest-like;

scarce.

In most cases, defecation disorder is only a symptom of the disease, and not an independent nosology. Less commonly, constipation is considered a separate disease, with its own causes and characteristic symptoms..

Causes of constipation The occurrence of pathology can be associated with various factors, there is no single reason. Constipation in adults is often associated with inaccuracies in the diet, but serious diseases of the digestive tract or other systems can also be the cause.. So, the most often influenced by the following factors:.

Improper diet: lack of fiber in the diet, excessive intake of fat and fast carbohydrates.

Insufficient fluid intake.

Sedentary lifestyle, prolonged bed rest.

Diseases of the colon and anus: neoplasms, hemorrhoids, anal fissure.

Hormonal imbalance: hypothyroidism, menopause in women.

Psychological factors: overexertion, emotional distress, stress.

Diseases of the nervous system: damage to the nerves, spinal cord.

Varieties of pathology There are several types of pathology - along the course and the mechanism of development. Determining the type of disease is important for the selection of therapy, since the tactics of treatment for different forms of pathology are different.

Depending on the mechanisms of the development of pathology, several types of constipation are distinguished:.

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Explanation.

Alimentary.

Violation of defecation is associated with dietary habits - lack of dietary fiber and water in the diet.

Mechanical.

The reason is organic changes in the intestines, which make it difficult for the passage of feces. It can be malignant and benign formations, worms.

Proctogenic.

Violation of defecation occurs due to damage to the rectum and anus (proctitis, paraproctitis, hemorrhoids, anal fissure).

Psychogenic.

The occurrence of constipation is associated with any psycho-emotional factors. This often occurs when moving, a tense work environment, a long flight (especially among those who fly for the first time).

Neurogenic.

The cause is functional disorders associated with disturbance of intestinal innervation.

Iatrogenic.

The reason may be medication that inhibits peristalsis, as well as the abuse of laxatives.

Two forms of pathology are distinguished along the course:.

Chronic constipation - clinical manifestations have been observed for at least 3-6 months.

Acute constipation - symptoms occur and increase over several days.

Symptoms of constipation The main sign of constipation is bowel movements less than 3 times a week.. There are also other characteristics:.

feces hard, dry, dense;

difficulty during bowel movements;

the need for additional manipulations for bowel emptying;

heaviness in the abdomen that goes away after emptying;

feeling of fullness in the intestines, incomplete emptying.

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