What is constipation? Causes and symptoms of constipation

What exactly is constipation? I believe many people don't know what constipation really refers to. They only know that constipation is difficulty in defecation. In fact, constipation is a general term for a class of diseases, and different patients have different symptoms. Next, the editor will reveal the answer to you.

What is constipation

Constipation refers to the condition where the stool stays in the intestines for too long, resulting in less frequent bowel movements, dry stools, difficulty in passing stools, or incomplete bowel movements. Generally, no bowel movements for more than two days may indicate the presence of constipation. If you have bowel movements every day, but have difficulty in defecation and still feel like there is stool residue after defecation, or if you have abdominal distension, this should also be considered constipation.

Many constipation patients defecate 1-3 times per week, and in severe cases, they defecate only once every 2-4 weeks. Some people defecate multiple times a day, but it is difficult to defecate, and each defecation time can be more than 30 minutes. The feces are as hard as sheep feces and the amount is very small.

Symptoms of constipation

The symptoms of constipation can be roughly divided into two categories:

1. Symptoms of functional constipation: This is constipation caused by the weakening of the function of the large intestine or rectum, or by always holding back the urge to defecate. It is generally painless, but the urge to defecate is weak, the interval between bowel movements is about 3 days, and it is difficult to defecate. It is also often accompanied by systemic symptoms such as abdominal distension, loss of appetite, dizziness, fatigue, palpitations, thick and greasy tongue coating, etc.

2. Symptoms of organic constipation: This is caused by a disease that causes the intestines to become narrow, or foreign bodies in the large intestine, making it difficult for stool to pass through the intestines. For example, constipation caused by tumors often changes the shape of stool and is often accompanied by purulent blood and mucus. Sudden constipation, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, intestinal obstruction and intussusception should be considered. If it is after abdominal surgery, intestinal adhesions should be considered.