Intestinal Constipation or Constipation: Understand Better

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Intestinal constipation, also called constipation, refers to the difficulty or absence of bowel movements. Understand better how the problem occurs and see what to do to avoid it.

What is intestinal constipation?

Intestinal constipation is considered a bowel disorder in which the affected person has great difficulty evacuating, going weeks without going to the bathroom.

Normal bowel movements vary from person to person. Some people have bowel movements 3 times a day, and that is normal. Other people have bowel movements three times a week, and that’s also fine.

The problem occurs when there is a reduction in frequency from what was considered normal, as well as when associated symptoms arise, such as hardened stools, pain, and the need for excessive effort to evacuate.

Main symptoms of constipation

The main symptom is the absence of regular bowel movements. Generally, a healthy individual can evacuate at least once a day. People who go up to two days with constipation should pay attention if this occurs recurrently.

Other symptoms of constipation are:

• hardened or “dried out” stools;
• difficulty evacuating (need for a lot of effort);
• swelling and abdominal pain;
• excess gas;
• sensation of incomplete evacuation;
• irritability;
• digestive disorders.

What are the treatment alternatives?

Constipation is not exactly a disease, but a symptom of poor bowel function. In this sense, treatments seek to improve the health of the digestive system, as a way to ensure a more peaceful evacuation.

Diet is an important cause of intestinal constipation. Therefore, it is recommended to consume foods rich in fiber, such as:

• whole grains;
• fruits;
• vegetables;
• vegetables;
• foods with laxative properties (plums, papaya, green juices, fiber supplements).

In more delicate cases, it may be necessary to seek the help of a health professional for the prescription of suppositories or intestinal washes to relieve the situation.

Important: the use of laxatives should be strictly monitored by a doctor, as prolonged use can have adverse effects.

Is it possible to prevent intestinal constipation?

Some habits help to prevent intestinal constipation. They are:

• balanced, healthy diet, prioritizing the consumption of vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fruits, nuts, seeds, etc;
• seeking ways to reduce stress, whether by doing an outdoor activity, reading a book, or meditating. Stress directly influences the health of the entire digestive system and, therefore, needs to be combated;
• consuming at least 2 liters of water per day to help the body in the formation of the fecal bolus;
• exercising frequently, helping to improve gastrointestinal motility. With the intestine working better, the risk of constipation is much lower;
• never taking laxatives continuously and without medical supervision. The indiscriminate use of these substances can cause intestinal lesions and greatly harm the health of the body.

Chronic constipation: what is it?

In general, one in five people says they have suffered from chronic constipation, that is, long-term constipation. The risk factors that can make constipation evolve into something chronic are:

• lack of physical activities;
• fiber-poor diet;
• pregnancy and childbirth;
• low water consumption;
• use of certain medications (anticonvulsants, antidepressants, diuretics, analgesics, aluminum antacids, antispasmodics, and antihistamines);
• neurological diseases and diabetes.

Learn more about constipation and intestinal health on EndoBlog

Intestinal constipation brings a lot of discomfort and many questions. With this in mind, EndoBlog was developed by the professionals at Endoscopia Terapêutica to deliver quality content to all those seeking more information about health and quality of life.

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