Suffering from persistent abdominal pain can be a challenge, especially when the underlying cause is unknown. Often these distressing discomforts do not occur in isolation, but are accompanied by a series of symptoms that act as breadcrumbs to the underlying problem.
In such scenarios, the familiar enemy of constipation habitually emerges as the culprit. This bothersome condition refers to complications that occur during bowel movements. This can include problems such as feeling like you have an incomplete bowel movement, producing hard or lumpy stools, having bowel movements infrequently (less than three times a week), or straining when trying to defecate . Move your intestines.
If constipation lasts more than three months, it is usually classified as chronic constipation. Experts generally believe this concern is relatively widespread, although the exact prevalence is debatable, depending on the specifics of its definition. When diagnosing chronic constipation in the United States, medical professionals follow the Rome IV criteria.
Chronic constipation is characterized by many symptoms, among which abdominal pain and discomfort are the main ones. Potential symptoms that can help medical professionals narrow down the cause range from bloating, the presence of blood in the stool, and back pain to nausea, vomiting, rectal bleeding, and affecting weight loss.
Chronic constipation is primarily a functional bowel disease, making it difficult to determine the exact cause because imaging tests may appear normal but indicate dysfunction within the intestinal system. In most cases, the underlying cause of chronic constipation remains unknown, and such cases, known as chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC), account for approximately 60% of all cases.
Another significant cause of chronic constipation is irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). Although CIC and IBS-C are both functional bowel diseases, the main point of contrast is the frequency of abdominal pain, which is more recurrent in the case of IBS-C.
In addition to these dysfunctions, certain medical conditions and medications known as secondary causes can cause chronic constipation.
The first step to controlling chronic constipation involves conservative measures, especially lifestyle and dietary modifications. These include increasing your intake of fluids, especially water, incorporating fiber-rich foods into your diet, and ensuring regular exercise. While incorporating fiber into your diet, it’s best to do so gradually to prevent bloating and gas, which can worsen abdominal pain.
If conservative measures prove insufficient, your doctor may suggest treatments such as laxatives, secretagogues, and serotonin 5-HT4 receptor agonists. All of these things increase bowel movements and increase water in the intestines.
Techniques based on the mind-body connection, such as bowel training and biofeedback, may also provide relief for some people. Consult your doctor for information about these and other possible treatments for chronic constipation.