Do I Have Chronic Constipation?

Do you have fewer than three bowel movements a week?

Do you have dry, hard or lumpy stools?

Do you pass abnormally large or small stool?

Do you need to strain to have bowel movements?

Do you have stools that are difficult or painful to pass?

Do you have a stomach ache or cramps?

Do you feel bloated and nauseous?

Do you feel that you haven’t completely emptied your bowels after a movement?

Do you have a feeling as though there's a blockage in your rectum that prevents bowel movements?

Do you need help to empty your rectum, such as using your hands to press on your abdomen and using a finger to remove stool from your rectum?

Do you experience any of these symptoms for the last three months?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have chronic constipation. Constipation is a common health problem. Each year, about 2, 5 million Americans seek medical help due to constipation. A person with constipation has less than three bowel movements a week, difficulty passing the stool, or a feeling of being unable to completely empty the bowel. Common causes of constipation are eating food low in fiber, not drinking enough water, not getting enough exercise, stress, certain medication or digestive disorders. Chronic constipation refers to infrequent bowel movements that last for several weeks or longer. This condition can negatively affect the quality of life.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have chronic constipation. Chronic constipation is a disorder characterized by irregular bowel movements that persist longer than three weeks. It is usually the result of dietary changes or inadequate fiber intake. Older people are prone to this condition due to reduced physical activity and a slower metabolism. It is common in women during pregnancy and after childbirth. In people with constipation, food moves slowly through the digestive tract, so the colon absorbs too much water from the waste, which makes the stool dry, hard and difficult to expel. Various tests can help your doctor to diagnose chronic constipation.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have chronic constipation. Chronic constipation is a long-term condition with infrequent bowel movements and difficult passage of stools. There can be a number of reasons for this condition, and it is often difficult to determent the exact cause. A diagnosis is based on your medical and bowel movement history, lifestyle habits and routines, and various tests and procedures. Based on your symptoms and overall health, your doctor may order blood and urine tests, stool sample checks, imaging tests, colonoscopy, and other bowel function tests. Treatment includes lifestyle and dietary changes, and medications. Surgery is rarely needed.