When Should You Call a Doctor Before Treating Constipation?
Most of the time mild occasional irregularity isn't something to be overly concerned about, and treating constipation with a non-prescription product is both safe and effective.
But there are some signs that mean there is an urgent problem and medical advice is needed.
It's important to understand that there is no universal "normal" in terms of bowel movement frequency.
Though many people assume that anything less that daily movements is a sign of constipation, doctors say that anywhere between three times a week and three times a day can be considered normal.
If you're having bowel movements less frequently than is usual or comfortable for you, or if you're having difficulty and straining to expel waste, chances are you're simply experiencing temporary irregularity that can be solved with some simple diet and exercise changes, perhaps with the help of a commercial constipation treatment.
But there are are times when constipation is a symptom of a potentially very dangerous underlying condition, and in those cases medical advice must be sought.
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following: * If the condition develops very rapidly, with accompanying abdominal cramps and the inability to pass gass or stool.
This could be a sign that the bowel is blocked, either by an accumulation of waste matter or by some other obstruction.
* If you have sharp or severe stomach and abdominal pains along with inability to have a bowel movement.
This can be a symptom of a bowel or colon problem, such as ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, or colon cancer.
* If you have vomiting along with irregularity - this can be a sign that the bowel is obstructed.
* If there is blood in or around the stool - this is often caused by hemorrhoids, enlarged veins in the rectum which may be injured passing hard, dry stool.
Any rectal bleeding should be discussed with a doctor as soon as possible.
* If you feel weak or sick in connection with the lack of regular bowel movements, or if your stomach or abdomen are bloated * If you haven't had a bowel movement for more than three days and taking laxatives or other remedies hasn't helped.
Recurring constipation can also be a sign of an underlying disease or disorder.
If constipation is a chronic problem for you, or if you rarely have bowel movements unless you take laxatives, you should talk to your physician about it.
But there are some signs that mean there is an urgent problem and medical advice is needed.
It's important to understand that there is no universal "normal" in terms of bowel movement frequency.
Though many people assume that anything less that daily movements is a sign of constipation, doctors say that anywhere between three times a week and three times a day can be considered normal.
If you're having bowel movements less frequently than is usual or comfortable for you, or if you're having difficulty and straining to expel waste, chances are you're simply experiencing temporary irregularity that can be solved with some simple diet and exercise changes, perhaps with the help of a commercial constipation treatment.
But there are are times when constipation is a symptom of a potentially very dangerous underlying condition, and in those cases medical advice must be sought.
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following: * If the condition develops very rapidly, with accompanying abdominal cramps and the inability to pass gass or stool.
This could be a sign that the bowel is blocked, either by an accumulation of waste matter or by some other obstruction.
* If you have sharp or severe stomach and abdominal pains along with inability to have a bowel movement.
This can be a symptom of a bowel or colon problem, such as ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, or colon cancer.
* If you have vomiting along with irregularity - this can be a sign that the bowel is obstructed.
* If there is blood in or around the stool - this is often caused by hemorrhoids, enlarged veins in the rectum which may be injured passing hard, dry stool.
Any rectal bleeding should be discussed with a doctor as soon as possible.
* If you feel weak or sick in connection with the lack of regular bowel movements, or if your stomach or abdomen are bloated * If you haven't had a bowel movement for more than three days and taking laxatives or other remedies hasn't helped.
Recurring constipation can also be a sign of an underlying disease or disorder.
If constipation is a chronic problem for you, or if you rarely have bowel movements unless you take laxatives, you should talk to your physician about it.
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