How to Know if Your Constipation Requires a Medical Evaluation?

Ideally, your body absorbs what it needs from your diet and then eliminates the rest through regular, easy bowel movements. Unfortunately, things don’t run so smoothly for up to 20% of the adult population in the United States who have chronic constipation.

Chronic constipation drives about 2.5 million people to see a doctor each year in the US. If you’re not part of this number and you’re wondering whether to seek help for your chronic constipation, here’s the criteria Dr. Eric Ibegbu, chief medical director at the Atlantic Medical Group, wants you to consider.

Defining constipation

While it’s hard to put a number on a problem like constipation, a good rule of thumb is that three or fewer bowel movements each week qualifies as constipation.

That said, determining whether you’re having problems with constipation is more related to your usual pattern. For example, if you’re used to having two bowel movements per day but have recently been having them once every other day, there’s a case to be made that this qualifies as chronic constipation.

Aside from frequency, constipation has other characteristics, such as hard stools that are uncomfortable to pass.

The bottom line is that any change in your bowel movements and ensuing discomfort is worth having us take a look.

Common causes of constipation

There's a wide range of conditions, events, and other factors that can lead to constipation, but the most common culprits include:

• Chronic dehydration
• Fiber-poor diet
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Certain medications
• Diverticulitis
• Lupus
• Diabetes
• Colorectal cancer

Certain lifestyle factors can also lead to constipation, such as insufficient exercise or changes in routine.

We want to point out that sudden constipation that comes with severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting may indicate an intestinal obstruction, and this requires immediate medical attention.

Getting help for your constipation

Given the sheer number of possibilities that can lead to chronic constipation, it’s important to get a clearer picture of what’s behind your inability to have regular and easy bowel movements.

When you come to see us, we spend some time reviewing your symptoms, medical history, and usual routine to narrow down the list of potential causes. From there, we can run some tests to zero in on the culprit behind your chronic constipation.

If you go back to the list above, you can see why it’s important to seek help for your constipation, as it may signal a larger problem that can benefit from medical attention.

Even if your constipation isn’t related to another medical condition, the stress on your rectum and anus can lead to complications, such as hemorrhoids.

Constipation can also be a source of anxiety and frustration, and there’s enough to worry about in the world without adding this to the mix. With our expert diagnosis and treatment, we can help you get back to regular, satisfying bowel movements.

To get on the road to relief from your chronic constipation, contact the experts at Atlantic Medical Group. We have offices in Kinston, Jacksonville, and Gastonia, NC. Call the location closest to you or request an appointment online.