Constipation

People generally are more familiar with the word constipation which is understood as a condition where it is difficult to defecate. Medically, constipation is referred to as constipation, which is a digestive disorder due to decreased intestinal performance which is characterized by complaints of difficulty defecating or not defecating smoothly for a certain period of time, or the inability to evacuate feces completely as reflected by a reduced frequency of defecation than usual. harder, bigger and more painful than before and when you feel the stomach you can feel fecal masses (skibala).

A person can be said to be experiencing constipation if they have irregular bowel movements less than 3 times a week. Although the frequency of defecation is different for each person, because some people may defecate several times a day, while others defecate one to two times a week. This condition can occur due to a diet that does not consume enough fiber.

Causes of Constipation

a. Occurrence of blockage in the large intestine or rectum

A blockage in the large intestine or rectum can slow or stop the movement of stool, which is usually due to:

• Small tears in the skin around the anus (anal fissure) cause pain when defecating causing fear of defecating because it will cause severe pain
• Blockage in the intestine (intestinal obstruction)
• Colon cancer
• Narrowing of the large intestine
• Cancer in the stomach that causes pressure on the large intestine
• Rectal cancer
• The rectum protrudes from the back wall of the vagina
• The occurrence of nerve disorders around the large intestine and rectum

b. Nerve disorders can inhibit the work of the muscles of the large intestine and rectum in pushing stool. This condition can be caused by:

• Damage to the nerves that control body functions
• Parkinson's disease
• Spinal cord injury
• Strokes
• Multiple sclerosis

c. Disrupted pelvic muscles

Disorders of the pelvic muscles which function to help defecate can cause chronic constipation. These disorders can include contraction disorders or weakening of the pelvic muscles.

d. Hormonal disturbances

There are several hormones that function to balance body fluids, so that when a disturbance occurs, the balance of body fluids is also disturbed, triggering constipation. This can occur in pregnant women, people with diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism and hyperparathyroidism.

Risk Factors for Constipation

Although constipation can be caused by diseases or disorders that cause slow bowel movements, there are several risk factors that can increase the occurrence of constipation, namely:

• Increasing age
• Low fiber diet
• Not drinking enough can cause dehydration
• Less moving
• Pregnancy
• Side effects of drugs such as anti-depressants, antacids, anti-seizures, iron supplements.
• Stress
• Constipation Management

Providing constipation therapy generally aims to speed up the movement of feces in the intestines so that they are excreted more easily and regularly. The following are treatments for constipation, namely:

• Make lifestyle changes, change your diet or a healthy lifestyle such as drinking lots of water, eating vegetables and fruit.
• Use of laxatives.
• Exercise regularly
• Stress management well

If you experience complaints of constipation, immediately consult a doctor to get the right treatment.