Constipation - this is a rare and difficult bowel movements. This is a common problem associated with the work of the gastrointestinal tract. What is considered normal frequency of bowel movements, it depends on many factors, but, as a rule, constipation is considered a condition in which bowel movements occur less frequently than three times a week, and a chair with the hard and dry. Fortunately, in most cases, constipation is quite fast. Simple lifestyle changes such as regular exercise Myths about exercise: do not believe , Drinking plenty of fluids, inclusion in the diet of fiber, will help to quickly relieve constipation. For treatment, you can also use non-prescription laxative.

Symptoms

If you do not have a chair every day, it does not necessarily mean that you have constipation. However, if you have at least two of the following symptoms, maybe it's really constipated:

• Defecation least three times a week;
• Very hard stools;
• Severe stress during bowel movements;
• Feeling of incomplete evacuation after a bowel movement;
• The need to stimulate bowel movements hands, for example, by massaging the lower abdomen.

When to see a doctor

Although constipation can cause discomfort, they usually do not indicate a serious disorder. Many people, from time to time suffer from constipation do not seek the help of a doctor. However, chronic constipation can lead to complications, and is sometimes a sign of a serious underlying disease.

Talk to your doctor if constipation occurs for no apparent reason (you continue to eat as usual, and do not change the way of life in general), or if your symptoms become more severe and persist for three weeks or more. You should also seek medical help if you experience any of the following signs or symptoms that may be indicative of serious violations in the work of the body:

• Defecation takes place once every three days or less, despite the change in diet and exercise;
• Severe abdominal pain Abdominal pain: Types and Symptoms ;
• The presence of blood in stool;
• Constipation alternating with diarrhea;
• Pain in the rectum;
• Weight loss for no apparent reason.

Causes

Generally constipation occurs when wastes or chair moving too slowly through the digestive tract, because of what the chair becomes dry and hard.

Normally, the waste is moving through the intestines due to muscle contraction. In the colon, most of the water and salts from the waste reabsorbed, since they are necessary for implementing various functions.

However, if the diet is not enough fluids and foods rich in fiber, or if the muscles contract too slowly stool hardens, becomes dry and comes very slowly through the intestines. This is the main cause of constipation.

Constipation can also develop if the movement of the muscles responsible for the bowel, not enough coordinated. This problem is called pelvic floor dysfunction. This defecation always causes significant stress, even if the stool soft.

Several factors may contribute to the development of constipation, including:

• Inadequate fluid intake or dehydration;
• Not enough fiber in the diet;
• Regular ignoring the urge to defecate;
• Lack of physical activity;
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome;
• Lifestyle changes, such as those related to pregnancy, aging, and travel;
• Different diseases, such as stroke, diabetes, thyroid disease Thyroid disease - women at risk   and Parkinson's disease;
• Frequent use of laxatives or abuse of laxatives;
• Violations related to colon and rectum, such as bowel obstruction or diverticulosis;
• Taking certain medications, including pain killers, diuretics and medications used to treat Parkinson's disease, high blood pressure and depression Depression - a little more than a bad mood ;
• Hormonal disorders, such as decreased activity of the thyroid gland;
• Anal fissures and hemorrhoids;
• The loss of important salts for the body as a result of vomiting or diarrhea;
• Spinal cord injuries.

In rare cases, constipation can be a symptom of serious violations, such as colorectal cancer, hormonal disorders or autoimmune diseases.

Risk factors

The greatest likelihood of developing constipation exists in the elderly, leading a sedentary lifestyle, and those who are undergoing chemotherapy. In addition, prolonged immobilization (e.g., during hospital treatment) and receiving sedation can also contribute to constipation.

Typically, the pain in the stomach is spasmodic, speed, and is a sign of a slight short-term disorder. Severe pain in the stomach can cause greater concern. If he suddenly starts to hurt and strong, this may indicate a serious violation, especially if the pain is concentrated in a particular area.

Symptoms

Stomach pain may be accompanied by other symptoms, which vary depending on the underlying disease that caused it.

Most often in conjunction with a pain in the stomach appear the following symptoms:

• Swelling of the abdomen or bloating Bloating - if you are bursting inside ;
• Belching;
• Bloody diarrhea;
• Changes in intestinal motility;
• Constipation;
• Abdominal cramps;
• Diarrhea;
• Flatulence;
• Dyspepsia;
• Nausea and / or vomiting;
• More frequent urge to defecate.

Other symptoms that may accompany the pain in the stomach:

• Cough;
• Enlarged liver, spleen and lymph nodes;
• Fever;
• Pain during sexual intercourse;
• Pain or burning during urination;
• Pain, numbness or tingling in different parts of the body;
• Skin rash;
• Unexplained weight loss.

Stomach pain can be a sign of a life-threatening condition, if it is accompanied by the following features:

• Bleeding during pregnancy;
• Changes in the level of consciousness or significant weakening of concentration, which can occur, for example, the lack of response to external stimuli;
• Pain and pressure in the chest, palpitations;
• Increased body temperature (above 38, 5 C);
• Lack of defecation, especially if accompanied by vomiting;
• Increased heart rate (tachycardia);
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath;
• The presence of blood in vomit, rectal bleeding.

When you see these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.

Causes

The most common cause of pain in the stomach is a stomach ulcer. Therefore, if the stomach pain occurs frequently, or is very strong, it is necessary as soon as possible a thorough medical examination. However, pain in the stomach may not be caused by an ulcer; in this case to determine the cause it may be difficult. Doctors generally called a functional disorder - which means that even frequently recurring pain in the stomach is not necessarily associated with a particular disease.

Risk factors

Factors that may increase the risk of stomach pain:

• Excessive consumption of caffeine and / or alcohol;
• Smoking;
• Taking certain medicines, especially nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen Ibuprofen: anti-inflammatory drug .

Diagnostics

As a rule, the patient's complaints of pain in the stomach used to diagnose:

• A blood test helps to identify the various diseases that can cause pain in the stomach, as well as to exclude some disorders, which are characterized by the same symptoms.
• Fecal. With this analysis, we can identify the infection caused by the bacteria Helicobacter pylori.
• Endoscopy. During this diagnostic procedure into the stomach through the esophagus administered thin flexible tube with a camera and a light bulb on the end. The endoscope allows the doctor to examine the stomach wall of the patient and identify potential problems.

Treatment

To control the pain in the stomach can be used the following tools:

• Pharmaceuticals in the form of an antacid tablet, or a liquid which neutralize stomach acid and provide fast pain relief.
• OTC drugs against increased gas production. If the pain in the stomach is associated with increased flatulence may be recommended medications, which include simethicone.
• Drugs to reduce the production of stomach acid. Many of these medications are sold without a prescription and include cimetidine, famotidine, nizatidine, and ranitidine Ranitidine - help in the prevention of relapse of peptic ulcer . Sometimes the pain in the stomach necessary more powerful prescription medication.
• Proton pump inhibitors also reduce gastric acidity to relieve pain in the stomach.
• Antispasmodic drugs help relieve pain in the stomach. These drugs include, for example, dicyclomine and hyoscyamine.
• Low-dose antidepressants. Receiving small doses of tricyclic antidepressants or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors help reduce the activity of neurons that control pain in the stomach. For pains in the stomach may be recommended intake of drugs such as nortriptyline, desipramine, sertraline, or escitalopram.
• Antibiotics. If the pain in the stomach caused by the bacterium H. Pylori, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics Antibiotics - whether they will help you in the foreseeable future? .