Interesting Facts Concerning Constipation

Do you experience challenging, painful, or uncomfortable bowel movements? You may be suffering from constipation. As a common condition, constipation may occur independently or as a symptom of an underlying complication. For effective treatment of constipation in San Antonio, contact Dr. Narvaez and his team of specialists at Digestive & Liver Disease Center of San Antonio PLLC for precise diagnosis and symptom relief using the most innovative medical advancements.

What is Constipation?

Constipation is a bowel function that prompts irregular or painful bowel movements. Bowel movement frequency may vary between individuals. However, generally, doctors may diagnose constipation if you experience fewer than three bowel movements in a week.

Symptoms of Constipation

Common symptoms of constipation include:

·       Hard stools

·       Pain or discomforts during bowel movements

·       Tiny, pellet-like stools

·       Bloated feeling

·       Feelings that the bowels are full even after a bowel movement

·       Straining while having a bowel movement

·       Abdominal cramping before bowel movements

In some cases, you might witness bowel leakage, resembling diarrhea when you are constipated. This may indicate that you have a blockage and stool is leaking out around it.

What Causes Constipation?

Constipation may occur independently or as a symptom of an underlying condition. When appearing on its own, constipation results from:

·       dehydration

·       Low fiber intake

·       Excessive alcohol consumption

·       Sudden dietary changes

·       Delayed bowel movements

·       Sedentary lifestyle (lack of exercise)

·       Opioid medications such as codeine and hydrocodone

·       Eating plenty of sugary or fatty foods

Constipation sometimes occurs as a symptom of an underlying condition such as irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, colon cancer, diabetes, neurological disease, or thyroid dysfunction.

Treatment of Constipation

Dr. Narvaez of Digestive & Liver Disease Center of San Antonio PLLC reviews your symptoms, conducts an assessment, and may run imaging tests if he suspects an underlying disease or condition. He then prescribes particular treatment approaches depending on your individual needs.

In most cases, lifestyle changes are most vital to your constipation treatment. You may need to alter your diet, boost your water intake, take supplemental fiber or start regular exercises to maintain a healthy gastrointestinal system and eradicate constipation.

Dr. Narvaez further recommends establishing a routine, attempting bowel movements at the same time every day. Additionally, you may need to adjust or change your medications if they are among the contributing factors to your constipation. Where other alternatives fail, Dr. Narvaez might recommend laxative use.

If your cause is an underlying condition such as inflammatory bowel syndrome, you may eventually need surgery to correct the conditions within your intestines.

Other services

In addition to constipation, Dr. Narvaez and the team also offer other superior treatments at Digestive & Liver Disease Center of San Antonio PLLC. Contact them to receive services such as:

·       Acid reflux

·       Endoscopy

·       Hemorrhoids

·       Colon cancer

·       Inflammatory bowel disease

·       Cirrhosis

·       GERD

Bottom Line

While adult constipation can be embarrassing, you do not have to suffer this common issue. To restore your ordinary bowel functioning, you need a trusted provider for the best possible results. Contact Digestive & Liver Disease Center of San Antonio PLLC for a practical treatment solution. Call their offices or schedule your appointment online.