Constipation
Constipation is characterized by a decrease in the frequency of bowel movements, harder and drier stools, and difficulty passing stools.
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What is constipation?
Constipation is characterized by a decrease in the frequency of bowel movements, harder and drier stools, and difficulty passing stools.
What are the causes of constipation?
Constipation can be organic or functional in nature.
- Organic cause: a medical condition affecting one or more of the body's systems. For example, a neurological disease, an impairment of the gastrointestinal system (stomach, intestine), a psychological condition, etc.
- Certain medications can also cause constipation.
- Functional cause: Functional constipation can be caused by a low-fiber diet, dehydration, a slow transit time of food through the digestive tract, and/or a dysfunction of the bowel movement mechanism.
What are the symptoms of constipation?
- Hard, sticky, or lumpy stools;
- Long, unsatisfying bowel movements less than three times a week;
- Needing assistance to pass stools: digital manipulation, laxatives, straining, change of position (toilet gymnastics);
- Feeling of incomplete emptying, blockage at the exit of stools;
- Unfelt urge to have a bowel movement;
- Sometimes presence of hemorrhoids and/or anal fissures.
We understand this issue and treat it frequently.
How is constipation diagnosed?
Diagnosis is made through a subjective and physical examination in the clinic. There are also medical tests that may be prescribed by a doctor in cases of constipation of organic origin.
How physiotherapy can help with constipation
Your pelvic floor rehabilitation physiotherapist will first perform a complete assessment (e.g., lifestyle habits, posture, breathing, contraction/relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles, etc.) to determine the cause(s) of the constipation.
Based on the assessment results, your physiotherapist will:
- Offer personalized advice related to your lifestyle habits to improve stool consistency and intestinal transit;
- Provide advice on defecation techniques and positions;
- Provide you with specific exercises to do at home to address the cause of the problem;
- Mobilize the muscles and soft tissues in the abdomen and pelvic floor.
Finally, if physiotherapy treatments are not sufficient, your physiotherapist will refer you to your doctor to evaluate other options.
When to consult a physiotherapist for constipation
You should consult a physiotherapist if you have one or more of the symptoms described above or if your doctor has ruled out any other causes that may be responsible for your symptoms.
You do not need to see a doctor before consulting a physiotherapist. If your condition requires you to see a doctor, your physiotherapist will be able to tell you.
What to do at home...
- Make sure you have a balanced diet and stay well hydrated.
- Engage in regular physical activity.
- When sitting on the toilet, place your feet on a stool so that your knees are slightly higher than your hips and lean slightly forward.
To learn more
- Canada's Food Guide: https://guide-alimentaire.canada.ca/fr/
- Physical Activity Guide: https://www.canada.ca/fr/sante-publique/services/publications/vie-saine/conseils-activite-physique-adultes-18-64-ans.html
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