Constipation
Constipation is a significant cause of abdominal pain. Sure, it can be uncomfortable to talk about our bowel movement, but it is much more uncomfortable to leave constipation untreated. According to the AAFP, when constipation is left untreated, it “can lead to fecal impaction (with resulting fecal incontinence), particularly in older and confused persons.” Additionally, this painful condition may factor into your risk of developing hemorrhoids or diverticular disease, though more research is required to support this idea.
How should we define constipation, then? Generally speaking, constipation is when a person experiences 2 or fewer bowel movements a week for 2 consecutive weeks. But this is not a hard-and-fast rule. Simply, if you aren’t pooping as much as you usually do and you’re feeling discomfort because of it, you would be wise to talk to your primary care provider.
Like so many medical conditions, the best way to manage constipation is to reduce your risk. The AAFP notes that risk factors include, “a low-fiber diet, low fluid intake, reduced mobility, consumption of drugs such as opioids and anticholinergic antidepressants, and Parkinson disease.” Thankfully, there are many clinically effective treatments for people experiencing constipation. Dietary fiber supplementation, especially with psyllium, is a well-known home treatment. If that doesn’t seem to help, laxatives may be of use. The AAFP notes that laxatives containing polyethylene glycol are among the safest, most effective laxatives available.
