Constipation affects many

More than ten percent of the population complain of chronic constipation. With the right Diagnosis can be helped.

Bloated stomach, nausea, no appetite and pain in the anus - anyone who suffers from constipation knows the effects. If constipation is not treated, it can have long-term, serious health consequences. But in order to be able to combat constipation sustainably, the cause must first be discovered. The first step is diagnosis. Chronic constipation occurs when no satisfactory bowel movement is possible for a period of around three months, i.e. the bowel cannot be emptied sufficiently or only with great difficulty. This is because the digestive process is fundamentally very individual. For example, bowel movements between three times a day and three times a week are normal, as long as they are satisfactory and regular.

Women and older people are more often affected

There are many causes for chronic constipation. A common reason can be hormonal fluctuations. This mainly affects women. The changing proportion of the female hormones progesterone and gestagen during pregnancy, breastfeeding, menopause and during the menstrual cycle has a slowing effect on digestion. This often results in difficult bowel movements and even constipation. The same applies to patients who suffer from hormonal fluctuations for another reason, such as Hypothyroidism, which is usually the result of an autoimmune thyroid inflammation such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis is or a Diabetes mellitusOlder people also have an increased risk of suffering from constipation. The naturally slower digestion from the age of 65, limited mobility due to age and side effects of medication (e.g. opiates) lead to intestinal sluggishness in the long term, which hinders the digestive process. Hard stools can become stuck in the large intestine, making it difficult to empty. In rare cases, the cause can also be a narrowing of the intestine, such as caused by a tumor. Therefore, it is important to discuss factors such as general well-being, Nutrition, living conditions, pain when passing stool, consistency of stool, stool frequency, medications, previous abdominal surgery, past stays abroad and chronic illnesses.

Numerous diagnostic options facilitate therapy

In order to reliably determine the cause of the blockage, the Medicine Numerous diagnostic options are available. Depending on the initial situation, the anamnesis includes a blood and stool sample. This determines the potassium level in the blood and the concentration of Thyroid hormones If there is a suspicion of invisible (occult) blood in the stool, an Ifob test can provide certainty. In addition, a physical examination and an ultrasound of the abdomen (ultrasound of the abdomen) If necessary, a palpation of the rectum is also performed. If this does not produce any conclusive results, a colonoscopy is performed.

Healthy lifestyle supports good digestion throughout life

Although it is not scientifically proven, doctors and nutritionists strongly believe that a high-fiber diet, daily exercise and sufficient fluids promote digestion and prevent chronic constipation. Together with the range of diagnostic tools, patients with chronic constipation can actively contribute to their well-being.