Written By: Debjani Arora | Updated : November 16, 2017 10:50 AM IST
Suffering from constipation can be debilitating. However, it is not just the inability to pass stool; it is also a change in stool pattern, frequency and consistency that makes the condition more irritable. If the situation turns from moderate to severe and becomes chronic, it could have other health complications, too. Here Dr Jayshri Shah Consultant-Hepatologist, Gastroenterologist and Therapeutic Endoscopist at Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre tells us how constipation can affect one s health if not treated on time. Here is how to know if you suffer from chronic constipation.
She warns that most of the time constipation can be managed in young and middle-aged people with corrective lifestyle habits and changing unhealthy diet patterns. Complications might be prevalent in the elderly whose system may not be able to take on the toll of the condition for too long. Here are a few complications one can suffer from due to chronic constipation:
1. Diverticulitis: In the elderly, pouches develop in the lining of the bowel called diverticula, due to the constant straining to pass the stool. If stool gets stuck in these pouches, it could give rise to a condition called diverticulitis which could be potentially dangerous if it gets infected and inflamed. In the worst case scenario, the pouches might perforate or rupture which can be life threatening. This condition often needs medical attention.
Here are eight lifestyle habits that are making your constipation worse.
2. Haemorrhoids: Pile up of excreta puts pressure on the veins of the rectum and anus; these swollen veins are often referred as haemorrhoids or piles. Suffering from this condition can lead to painful defecation, blood in stool, etc. This condition, in general, is not harmful and can get better once the constipation is taken care off, which might need medications like heavy laxatives. Here are 13 common mistakes that can aggravate piles.
3. Anal fissures: When the stool is hard and it puts a lot of pressure on the anus while passing this can lead to some tearing and bleeding. This tearing leads to anal fissure which is painful is the least to say. Once you develop a fissure, it makes it even more difficult for stool to pass. Meet a doctor to know how you can take care of this condition to heal the sore and remove the stool, both.
4. Irritable bowel syndrome: Going to the loo several times due to IBS and constipation might seem two opposite things. However, IBS is constipation predominant most of the times. Like IBS is a lifelong condition that needs attention and proper management, you can take care of your constipation too. Here is a diet and meal plan to manage irritable bowel syndrome.
5. Infection: There is always a risk of bacterial infection attached to chronic constipation. When stool passes through the colon and rectum there could be wear and tear due to hard consistency, if waste products get stuck in these wounds, these could lead to internal infections.
6. Urine incontinence: Colon and bladder are closely related. So when the colon is full with excreta, it can put pressure on the bladder due to which one might suffer from incontinence, though rarely.
7. Bowel cancer: The colon iss supposed to hold the faeces for some time before exit. However, in a condition like constipation, the volume increases and it stretches the sides of the colon where the wear and tear lead to wounds and the toxic bacteria of the stool could lead to rotting and fermentation that could predispose one to a cancerous growth.
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