Constipation Specialist

What is constipation?

Constipation is one of the most common issues that affect digestive health. A diagnosis of constipation involves having a bowel movement fewer than three times a week.

Normally, your colon absorbs water from food as it moves through your digestive system and forms stool. The muscles in your colon move the stool out through your rectum during a bowel movement.

In constipation, the stool may stay too long in the colon, where it can become hard and more difficult to eliminate from your body. This may occur due to:

• Age
• Stress
• Routine changes
• Low-fiber diet
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Use of certain medications

You may also be prone to frequent constipation if you have underlying medical issues, like diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, or a thyroid condition.

What are the symptoms of constipation?

Everyone has a different normal for bowel movements, with some having several a day while others have only a few bowel movements a week.

Any changes in your usual bowel habits shouldn’t be ignored. You should schedule a consultation at Long Island Gastro if you experience symptoms during bowel movements like:

• Straining
• Dry, hard stool
• Pain or bleeding
• Unexplained weight changes

You may also feel abdominal fullness even after using the bathroom.

How is constipation diagnosed?

Pinpointing the cause of your constipation, especially if it’s recurrent, is the focus of diagnostic testing at Long Island Gastro. The gastroenterology team takes the time to learn more about your diet and activities that may be causing constipation. They also review your medical history and your symptoms.

In some cases, your provider may order blood tests to check for infection or underlying illness. They may also perform a rectal exam to ensure there aren’t obstructions that are interfering with bowel movements.

You may also need a colonoscopy to evaluate the health of your colon. This in-office test uses a slender tube with an attached camera, which sends pictures of your colon to a monitor. Your Long Island Gastro provider watches the monitor to identify blockages or other issues that may be causing constipation.

How is constipation treated?

Treating occasional, mild constipation may require over-the-counter stool softeners or other medications, drinking plenty of water, and eating a high-fiber diet.

If you have chronic constipation due to an underlying medical issue, your Long Island Gastro specialist may recommend prescription medications to regulate bowel movements and make it easier to go to the bathroom.

If you have blockages that prevent healthy bowel movements, your provider may recommend surgery to clear your colon of any remaining stool and repair any damage. Following a procedure, you may need therapy to retrain your colon muscles.

You don’t have to live with chronic constipation. Request a consultation at Long Island Gastro by phone or online today.