When Do I Need Medical Treatment For Constipation?

If you’re struggling to move your bowels and experiencing symptoms that don’t get better despite home remedies and over-the-counter treatments, it’s time to get help from Dr. Jack Husney, a board-certified gastroenterologist in Brooklyn, New York. 

As an expert in digestive health, Dr. Husney can help pinpoint the cause of your constipation and develop a treatment plan to get your bowels moving smoothly again. Here, he takes a closer look at when you may need medical treatment for constipation.

What does it mean to be constipated? 

Most people don’t think much about their bathroom habits unless something feels off. Here are some questions to ask yourself at this moment. How often do you usually go? What does your stool typically look like? Do you frequently have to strain?

Going once a week isn’t normal, no matter what your best friend says about her “slow system.” Most experts agree that having anywhere from three bowel movements per day to three per week is healthy, provided the stools are soft and easy to pass without straining. 

You might be constipated if you’re skipping days, straining to go, or noticing hard, dry stools. While occasional constipation is common and harmless, chronic constipation can lead to serious health problems like hemorrhoids or anal fissures. It could also mean you have an underlying condition that needs medical attention. 

Common causes of constipation

Constipation can happen for various reasons, some simple and some more complex. Common culprits include:

• A low-fiber diet: Fiber adds bulk to your stool, making it easier to pass. Without enough fruits, veggies, and whole grains, your poop can become dry and hard.
• Dehydration: Fluids soften your stool. When you’re not drinking enough water, your body reabsorbs more liquid from your colon, leading to harder stool that’s difficult to pass.  
• Lack of physical activity: Exercise helps stimulate your intestines. When you’re sedentary, your digestive system can get sluggish, too.
• Medications: Many common drugs like opioid pain relievers, antidepressants, and some blood pressure medications can contribute to constipation.
• Pregnancy: Prenatal vitamins (especially iron), changing hormone levels, and the pressure of the growing baby on the intestines can all lead to constipation.   
• Underlying medical conditions: Issues like hypothyroidism, diabetes, IBS, neurological disorders, or colorectal cancer can cause chronic constipation.

Sometimes, identifying the reason behind your constipation is easy. Like when you’ve been surviving on cheese pizza and neglecting your water bottle. Other times, you need Dr. Husney’s help to uncover what’s going on with your bowels.

When should you seek care for constipation?

While occasional constipation can be managed at home, the following signs indicate that it may be time to put down the drugstore laxatives and make an appointment with Dr. Husney.

Chronic constipation 

If you’ve been constipated for three weeks or more despite trying diet and lifestyle changes or over-the-counter remedies, schedule a visit with Dr. Husney. Chronic constipation can be tricky to deal with on your own, but with expert care, you can find relief in no time. 

Severe pain or discomfort

Constipation accompanied by significant abdominal pain, bloating, or cramping may be a sign of underlying issues such as a bowel obstruction or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). If you’re both constipated and in pain, come see us. 

Rectal bleeding

Noticing blood in your stool or on the toilet paper is a red flag. While rectal bleeding might be caused by something minor, like a hemorrhoid, it could also indicate a more serious condition that requires urgent medical care.

Sudden, unexplained changes in bowel habits

If you’ve always been regular and suddenly find yourself persistently constipated, it’s worth seeing Dr. Husney. Sudden changes in bowel habits, especially if accompanied by weight loss or fatigue, could point to a serious health concern.

You don’t have to live with constipation

Constipation can be uncomfortable at best and agonizing at worst. You shouldn’t have to grit your teeth and strain your bowels whenever you go to the toilet. With expert care, you can get your bowels moving again — and we’re here to help. Call or click online to schedule a visit with Dr. Husney in Brooklyn, New York, today.