Constipation: causes and treatment in adults and children

The article was prepared by a specialist for informational purposes only. We urge you not to self-medicate. When the first symptoms appear, consult a doctor.

Mochalov Pavel Alexandrovich

Doctor of Medicine therapist

Constipation is not only a delicate problem, but also a fairly common problem faced by people of different ages. We can talk about constipation when a person has bowel movements less than 3 times a week.

According to various sources, about 27% of adults suffer from constipation and the symptoms it causes. In particular, increased gas formation and abdominal pain. Constipation is aggravated by a sedentary lifestyle and poor diet. Physical activity and menu adjustments will help normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and cope with the problem. In this article, we have collected 7 foods that often cause constipation and aggravate its course.

• Conclusion

Alcohol

Alcoholic drinks are one of the causes of constipation. Alcohol taken in large quantities leads to dehydration of the body, thereby increasing the loss of fluid, which is lost along with urine. Against the background of a small supply of clean water and its rapid loss, the likelihood of constipation increases many times over.

At the same time, there are no studies that directly study the effect of alcoholic beverages on the formation of constipation. In addition, some people note that, on the contrary, they develop diarrhea while drinking alcohol. Most likely, this is due to the individual characteristics of the body. Those people who suffer from stool retention after drinking alcohol can be advised to drink a glass of water with each serving of alcohol.

Preventing constipation

Prevention of discomfort depends on what you eat, whether your diet contains enough dietary fiber, and whether you have enough fluids per day.

The following are preventive measures:

• light physical activity, for example, therapeutic exercises;
• diet It is recommended to take warm liquid food for breakfast;
• drinking mineral water.

If a laxative is taken, monitoring the intake is recommended. There is no need to bring any disease to a chronic stage, this can lead to problems with bowel movements.

Products with gluten

Gluten is found in wheat, barley, spelled and other grains. It is represented by a special protein, which, if ingested, can cause constipation in some people. Moreover, there is such a disease as celiac disease (gluten intolerance). If a person suffering from it eats foods containing gluten, immune cells begin to attack the intestines, damaging its cells. Therefore, such people are advised to follow a strict diet in which gluten-free foods have no place.

Celiac disease affects about 0.5-1% of people worldwide. However, many of them are unaware of their diagnosis. They struggle unsuccessfully with chronic constipation by continuing to eat gluten-containing foods. While giving them up helps to completely cope with the problem.

There are two other conditions in which a person's gut can tolerate wheat but cannot tolerate gluten, namely gluten sensitivity and irritable bowel syndrome. However, eating grains does not lead to constipation.

If you suspect gluten intolerance, you should consult a specialist to rule out this condition, or adjust the menu. In some cases, it is possible to cope with the problem not by eliminating unsuitable foods, but by reducing their quantity in the diet.

Symptoms of problems with bowel movements

The disease can manifest itself in different ways, depending on the causes and duration of the disease. This is why it is recommended to see a doctor. There are types such as acute and chronic constipation.

The first case is characterized by the following symptoms:

• inability to have a bowel movement for several days;
• inflammatory processes, diseases of the abdominal cavity;
• tumor processes.

With intestinal tumors and inflammatory processes, obstruction develops, leading to problems with bowel movements. If a patient has been diagnosed with hemorrhoids or anal fissures, the process of defecation may be accompanied by spotting and bleeding.

The second case is characterized by the following symptoms:

• the patient goes to the toilet independently only three times a week;
• dense feces;
• the patient is accompanied by feelings of incomplete emptying;
• forced bowel cleansing;
• straining during bowel movements.

The chronic form of constipation can be accompanied by not one, but several symptoms at once; the chronic stage occurs when the problem accompanies the patient for three months over the last six months.

Often patients with the chronic form complain of bloating, pain accompanied by contractions, cramps, an unpleasant taste in the mouth, and frequent belching.

It is important to immediately contact a doctor at Meditsina JSC (academician Roitberg’s clinic) in the Central District. Due to untimely contact with a specialist, a headache may be added to the main symptoms, the person will become irritable, and suffer from insomnia.

White flour products and processed grains

Foods containing minimal amounts of fiber can cause constipation. This applies to white bread, white pasta, white rice. After undergoing factory processing, grain loses most of its coarse dietary fiber. Without bran and fiber, feces in the intestines do not gain sufficient volume, so they move towards natural excretion slowly.

Numerous studies have shown that sufficient fiber intake can help relieve stool retention. A recent study found that each additional gram of fiber reduced the risk of constipation by 1.8% [1], [2].

However, when deciding to increase your daily fiber intake, you need to remember that in some people it can lead to the opposite effect - that is, aggravate constipation. That's why it's so important to monitor the body's reaction. It happens that a person eats a significant amount of whole grains for a long time, but the problem remains [3], [4]. In this case, it is recommended to reduce the amount of fiber consumed and monitor the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. It is possible that this approach will bring relief.

Symptom treatment

The first and main task facing the doctor during the treatment of constipation in adults is the normalization of the intestinal muscles.

What methods and actions are used for constipation:

• nutrition and lifestyle - they need to be adjusted. Get rid of bad habits, change your diet, daily routine;
• medicines. The doctor will tell you which pills to take, do not self-medicate, make an appointment;
• physiotherapy. Prescribed only by a doctor, these can be thermal baths, irradiation with ultraviolet rays;
• phytotherapy. The doctor may prescribe the use of herbs and products that have a laxative effect (for example, beet juice, prunes, Jerusalem artichoke juice).

You need to stop drinking strong tea, coffee, alcoholic beverages, cocoa, spicy, fatty foods, and sweets. It is recommended to add berries, fruits, cereals, broths, juices (but only freshly squeezed), cottage cheese, kefir to the diet. Take into account! Fermented milk products are taken in limited quantities; excessive intake can provoke the development of diarrhea. That is why the diet for constipation should be under the supervision of a specialist. There are cases when pills help, there are cases when you need to use an enema or suppositories, and there are also those when treatment takes place in a hospital. Your doctor will determine which one is right for you. There are several types of physical therapy, each of which is prescribed for a specific case (depending on the cause). Usually the course ranges from 12 to 15 sessions, each lasting at least half an hour.

Symptoms during pregnancy

Constipation during pregnancy is a common problem. If stool is delayed for more than two days, this is a reason to consult a doctor. Causes of constipation in the early stages include:

• toxicosis (if a woman refuses her usual diet, reduces portions, drinks less liquid);
• a different diet (if a woman allows more food than usual);
• the influence of medications (they are prescribed only by the attending physician, for example, these may be medications that reduce the tone of the uterus).

Constipation occurs in pregnant women and as a result of refusal to walk, expectant mothers prefer to lead a bed lifestyle to avoid miscarriage. Pregnant women experience a feeling of bloating, stool is retained for a couple of days, defecation is accompanied by pain, and tingling sensations are felt in the rectal area.

Treatment at home

At home, syrup made from red rowan helps a lot. If you often encounter problems with bowel movements, this remedy should always be available. It will take time to prepare.

For the first 3-4 weeks, the rowan berries are infused in sugar, after which you need to strain the pulp, squeezing out the syrup. If you encounter a problem unexpectedly, prepare the following solution: pour boiling water over flax seeds and wheat bran, leave for 12 hours, strain. Take a tablespoon before meals three times a day.

If you have wheat bran, pour a glass of hot milk over it and let it brew for half an hour. Take half a glass in the morning (on an empty stomach before eating the main meal).

Physical therapy helps a lot; you can do the exercises at home. Lying on your back, raise your legs and bend your knees, imitating riding a bicycle. Another effective exercise: kneeling position. Place your hands on the floor, alternately moving one or the other leg back.

Milk and dairy products

In some people, milk and milk-based products can cause stool retention. The high-risk group includes young children, including infants. Scientists attribute this fact to the fact that their body has not yet acquired sufficient sensitivity to the proteins contained in cow's milk [5].

An analysis of numerous studies conducted by different scientists over 26 years showed that some children suffering from chronic constipation felt significantly better after giving up cow's milk. [6]

Another study was conducted recently. Children aged 1-12 years took part in it. All of them suffered from chronic constipation and continued to drink cow's milk. During the experiment, cow's milk was replaced with soy milk. Moreover, in 9 out of 13 subjects, constipation resolved on its own [7].

It is possible that giving up cow's milk can help adults cope with constipation. Although it should be remembered that with lactose intolerance, diarrhea develops while taking dairy products.

What do we have to do

To treat constipation and eliminate discomfort, you can use folk remedies, but this is only if the early stage is observed, the patient can tolerate it or there is no opportunity to immediately consult a doctor. What can be prepared from folk remedies: a decoction that includes rhubarb root, hay leaves. Fill the plants with water in an amount of 200 mg, keep on low heat for 20 minutes, then dilute with water. Once taken, it will begin to act within 8-10 hours.

If you don’t have the strength to endure this amount of time, contact a specialist. He will conduct a diagnosis, determine the cause of bowel problems, and prescribe a course of treatment. Take into account! Taking medications is possible only under the strict supervision of a doctor.

When to see a doctor

To combat the disease, you need to change your daily routine, include foods that have a laxative effect in your diet, spend more time outdoors, and take walks. You need to change your sleep patterns and avoid stressful situations.

If you have done all this, and the problem has not disappeared within 2-3 weeks, this is a reason to make an appointment with a doctor.

After the examination, the specialist will determine the degree of threat, prescribe treatment at home, or admit you to the hospital of JSC “Medicine” (clinic of Academician Roitberg), you will find more information here.

Red meat

There are several reasons why red meat can cause constipation:

• Low fiber content in the product. It is known that it is coarse dietary fiber that helps increase the volume of feces and their movement through the intestines.
• High nutritional value. Meat gives you a feeling of fullness that lasts for a long time. For this reason, a person will consume less foods rich in fiber: vegetables, legumes, whole grains. The more meat eaten during one meal, the more noticeable the daily deficiency of coarse fiber.
• Red meat contains a lot of fat, which takes a long time for the body to digest, which can worsen constipation symptoms. Unlike red meat, poultry and fish do not contain as much fat.

If a person eats a lot of meat dishes, then in order to prevent constipation, it is recommended that he enrich his diet with foods with fiber and proteins, namely: vegetables, lentils and peas.

On this topic:

10 products that replace meat

Features of nutrition if you are prone to constipation

If intestinal dysfunction occurs regularly, you need to review your diet. Products that should be limited:

• white rice porridge;
• bakery products made from premium flour;
• pasta;
• pureed dishes: cream soups, soufflé;
• omelettes;
• persimmon;
• blueberry;
• grenades;
• red wine;
• tea.

As a side dish for meat and fish dishes, you should eat vegetables: green peas, green beans, zucchini, broccoli, tomatoes, cucumbers.

Foods that promote bowel activity:

• all types of legumes;
• buckwheat grain;
• oats;
• fresh and sauerkraut;
• red beets;
• dried fruits: dried apricots, prunes;
• flax seeds;
• nuts;
• fresh fruits: apples, peaches, apricots, plums, cherries, citrus fruits, kiwi;
• fresh daily kefir and yoghurts.

To prevent constipation, it is enough to eat 2 to 4 servings of vegetable dishes, a fermented milk product and several fruits every day. It is important not to forget to drink 2 liters of water per day so that osmotic pressure is not disturbed and the stool does not become excessively hard.

Fiber, probiotics and fluid can improve intestinal motility within a few days without the use of medications. If this does not help, it makes sense to use natural laxatives.

Fast food, fried foods

Fried foods and fast food are a direct path to the development of chronic constipation. Especially if these dishes are present in the diet regularly and on an ongoing basis.

The reason why fast food and fried foods lead to stool retention comes down to their high fat content and low amount of fiber. This combination slows down the process of food digestion, similar to red meat.

By eating chips, chocolate, cookies or ice cream, a person quickly becomes full, but at the same time does not receive the fiber the intestines need. After such a snack, he will no longer want to eat vegetables and fruits. The less coarse fiber in the menu, the higher the risk of constipation.

In addition to the fact that fast food is deprived of fiber, it contains a colossal amount of salt. Therefore, the body will pull water from the intestines to neutralize it. Feces will lose volume, causing their progress to slow down significantly. [8]

On this topic:

16 most unhealthy foods

Causes and consequences of chronic constipation

Laxatives temporarily relieve the effects. However, the retention of waste products must not only be eliminated, but also its cause must be treated. Otherwise, the pathology may cause complications. Common factors for chronic constipation:

• gallbladder dyskinesia;
• deficiency of vitamins and minerals;
• inflammation of the sigmoid and rectum;
• violation of intestinal tone or patency;
• pathological lengthening or expansion of the lumen of the rectum;
• violation of internal microflora, dysbacteriosis;
• haemorrhoids.

Regular constipation provokes intoxication, allergic manifestations, colitis, development of cracks, paraproctitis. Damage to the mucosa contributes to inflammatory processes and the formation of tumors.

Which doctor should I contact?

Do not delay your visit to a specialist; when the first symptoms appear, make an appointment with a gastroenterologist, you can do this here.

The doctor will familiarize you with the symptoms, provide advice, conduct diagnostics, and prescribe tests. You may need to visit other specialists, for example, a therapist, proctologist, make an appointment on the website or by phone (for English-speaking patients), +7 (495) 775-73-60 (lines work around the clock), you can also use the form on the website .

JSC "Medicine" (clinic of academician Roitberg) is located in the center of Moscow, 2nd Tverskoy-Yamskaya lane (metro stations "Mayakovskaya", "Tverskaya", "Belorusskaya", "Novoslobodskaya").