Most people have experienced the discomfort of constipation during their lifetime. In fact, constipation is considered one of the most common digestive disorders in the country. The condition is characterized by having less than three bowel movements a week.

Some people struggle with chronic constipation, which lasts for several weeks. Oftentimes, chronic constipation interferes with daily activities, which makes it much more debilitating than regular constipation.

To learn more about this digestive disorder, here are four things to know about chronic constipation.

1. Know the Symptoms of Chronic Constipation

Besides infrequent bowl movements for several weeks, people with chronic constipation usually need to strain in order to have a bowel movement. Chronic constipation sufferers might feel as though their rectum is blocked so that they can't have a bowel movement or they can't completely rid their rectum of a stool.

Some people might feel the need to manually remove stool from their rectum. When people with chronic constipation do have a bowel movement, it is usually hard or lumpy.

2. Know What Causes Chronic Constipation

Unfortunately, it's not always easy to pinpoint the cause of chronic constipation. This is due to the fact that there are various factors that affect the digestive system, which can result in chronic constipation.

One such factor is the role that diet plays in digestion. For some, diets that are heavy in dairy products, meats, and processed foods cause chronic constipation. Not drinking enough water is another contributing factor where diet is concerned.

Chronic constipation can also be a symptom of an underlying health condition. Some of these conditions include:

• Hypothyroidism
• Diabetes
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Bowel cancer
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Spinal cord injuries

Women who are pregnant or people with mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression, might also suffer with chronic constipation.

Certain medications are another common cause of chronic constipation. These medications include opiate painkillers, calcium channel blockers, tricyclic antidepressants, and iron supplements.

3. Know the Complications of Chronic Constipation

Chronic constipation is a health issue that can lead to a number of complications. Those who strain to have a bowel movement can end up with hemorrhoids, which occur when the veins around the anus become swollen. If a stool is large or hard to pass, it could cause an anal fissure, which is when the skin in the anus tears.

When hardened stool becomes stuck in the intestines, it causes a complication called fecal impaction. A rectal prolapse is another complication caused by chronic constipation. A rectal prolapse occurs when part of the rectum protrudes from the anus.

While none of these complications are life threatening, they can be extremely painful and hard to treat.

4. Know When to See a Gastroenterologist for Chronic Constipation

To treat chronic constipation, you will need to know the cause. If you've changed your diet, you don't have an underlying health issue, you don't have a sedentary lifestyle, and you're not on any medications that cause chronic constipation, your doctor may refer you to a gastroenterologist. This type of physician specializes in conditions of the digestive tract.

The gastroenterologist may perform some of the following tests:

• Blood tests
• X-rays
• Sigmoidoscopy
• Colonoscopy
• Colonic transit study

Other tests might involve an evaluation of how well the anal sphincter muscles function. These kinds of tests can help determine the exact cause of your chronic constipation so that an effective form of treatment can be prescribed.

If you suffer from chronic constipation and would like to see a gastroenterologist, contact Kentuckiana Gastroenterology & Paramount Surgery Center. We will help you find the cause of your chronic constipation and offer the appropriate treatment. Our professional gastroenterology staff provides state-of-the art healthcare to patients with digestive disorders in a cost-effective manner.