Constipation: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Cost
Constipation is characterised by problems with bowel movements. We at the Leicester Bowel Clinic can help investigate and manage the causes of constipation.
What is Constipation?
Constipation is characterised by bowel movement problems, making bowel movements less frequent (fewer than 3 times a week), more difficult to pass, and harder or lumpier stools. While many people seek immediate constipation relief, this might not always be possible.
Constipation can be categorised based on its underlying cause into:
- Primary: Not caused by an underlying medical condition
- Normal transit constipation, characterised by abdominal pain and bloating
- Slow transit constipation, characterised by less frequent bowel movements
- Outlet constipation, characterised by difficulty and pain during bowel movements
- Secondary: Caused by an underlying medical condition, like previous abdominal surgery, nerve/spinal injuries, use of certain medications, etc.
What are the Symptoms of Constipation?
Symptoms of constipation include:
- Less frequent bowel movements.
- Difficulty and excessive straining during bowel movements often require assistance with your hands to pass stool.
- Painful bowel movements, with size and consistency differences in your stools, such as harder and lumpier stools.
- The sensation of the bowel not being completely emptied even after going to the toilet is also called “tenesmus.”
- Abdominal (tummy) pain or bloating.
If accompanied by other concerning symptoms such as blood in your stool or potential bowel obstructions, it may indicate the presence of a more serious underlying condition.
Can Constipation Cause Back Pain?
This might come as a surprise, but back pain is one of the symptoms that can be caused by constipation. Constipation causes back pain by putting undue pressure on the back due to blocked faecal matter in your bowel.
- The stuck faecal matter can be present in the colon, which can be very painful. This is called faecal impaction and can exert pressure on the back, causing back pain.
- General constipation can also cause back pain when old faecal matter is stuck in your bowel.
Faecal impaction is serious and requires medical intervention at the earliest. While general constipation is relatively less serious, make sure to incorporate lifestyle changes like high-fibre foods and exercise to alleviate symptoms.
When Should You Seek Medical Help?
While constipation can often be managed through lifestyle changes, it is important to rule out the presence of possible underlying conditions. If you experience regular and persistent constipation, or if constipation is accompanied by other symptoms, you should consult with a specialist to get an accurate diagnosis.
Constipation is a common condition affecting 1 in 7 adults at any time in the UK. GPs are used to these symptoms, and it is vital to not let embarrassment stand in the way of seeking treatment in time. Our team is experienced and places the utmost importance on your comfort and good health.
What Causes Constipation?
The most common causes of constipation are lifestyle practices like:
- Lack of high-fibre foods in your diet
- A sedentary lifestyle, with no regular exercise or activity
- Low daily fluid intake
- Mental health concerns like depression or anxiety
- Medicines such as paracetamol can cause constipation as a side effect
- Ignoring the urge to go to the toilet
You may be at a higher risk if you are
- 65 years of age or older
- Pregnant, or
- Post-partum.
If you start experiencing constipation at the same time as any lifestyle change or medication change (new medicines or a different dosage), they may be interlinked.
How is Constipation Diagnosed?
The general practitioner will discuss the symptoms you are experiencing and might ask questions like:
- 1 What are the major symptoms you have been experiencing?
- 2 When did the symptoms begin? Is this a regular occurrence?
- 3 What is the severity or intensity of your symptoms?
- 4 Have you noticed any lifestyle changes that ease or worsen your symptoms?
- 5 Have you received official diagnoses for any other medical conditions?
Your doctor can diagnose you with primary or secondary constipation based on your symptoms, their severity, duration, and other accompanying symptoms. The treatment plan depends on the type. If you are experiencing persistent symptoms, it is important to get an accurate diagnosis from a healthcare professional.
What are the Treatment Options for Constipation?
Treatment options include lifestyle changes, laxatives, prokinetics, suppositories, and treatment plans for underlying medical conditions that may be causing constipation. If left untreated, it may lead to other conditions, such as haemorrhoids (piles).
1. Laxatives for constipation treatment:
When constipation persists even after trying lifestyle and dietary changes, oral laxatives can be prescribed to ease the symptoms. Laxatives for constipation treatment are available in the form of tablets, syrups, and powders.
2. Prokinetics for constipation treatment:
Prokinetics are medications that help stimulate the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract, promoting more efficient movement of food and waste through the digestive system. These drugs are often used when constipation is caused by slow transit time or other motility issues. A doctor typically prescribes them, which can be an effective option for those who haven’t responded well to other treatments.
3. Rectal medication for constipation treatment:
Rectal medication, such as suppositories or enemas, is inserted into the rectum to induce bowel movement. Suppositories are recommended for occasional constipation and are usually prescribed when other methods have proven unhelpful.
Suppositories and enemas for constipation treatment are not usually habit-forming, and can be used in the long term to treat occasional constipation. The 2 main types of rectal treatment used for constipation are glycerine suppositories and phosphate enemas.
Many patients seek immediate constipation relief. However, it should be noted that most of the recommended solutions, including lifestyle modifications, dietary changes, and even laxatives, take time to be effective. While some laxatives can work within a few hours, these are not recommended unless other treatment options have failed to ease constipation. Treatments for bowel clearing, like enemas, are usually a last resort unless the case is severe.
Why Choose the Leicester Bowel Clinic?
Book a consultation with us to get treatment for your condition..
At Leicester Bowel Clinic, we focus on bowel health and conditions, digestive issues, and cancer care. Our clinic offers minimally invasive procedures for bowel problems, ensuring effective results and patient comfort. We aim to provide personalised care for our patients and offer the latest treatments for hernias, bowel conditions and rectal disorders.
Pricing
Consultations start at
£200
We look forward to assisting you!
Our Locations
Leicester Bowel Clinic at Spire Hospital
- Wednesdays evenings (Mr Runau) from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm at: Spire Leicester Hospital Gartree Road Leicester LE2 2FF
- To arrange an appointment directly with the Spire Leicester Hospital, please call the booking line on 0116 2653685
*Free on-site parking is available.
The Health Suite
- CLINICS The Health Suite Thursday evenings (Mr Chaudhri) from 6:00pm until 8:00pm at:The Health Suite, 624a Uppingham Rd, Leicester LE7 9QB
- To arrange an appointment directly with The Health Suit, please call the booking line on 0116 241010
*Free on-site parking is available.
Leicester Bowel Clinic at Nuffield Health Leicester Hospital
- 1st and 3rd Friday of the month (Mr Chaudhri) from 5:30 pm until 8:00 pm at: Nuffield Health Leicester Hospital, Scraptoft Ln, Leicester LE5 1HY
- To arrange an appointment directly with The Nuffield Hospital, please call the booking line on 0300 1311416
*Free on-site parking is available.
Frequently Asked Questions
01. How do I get rid of constipation immediately?
Many patients seek immediate relief from constipation. Enemas are a type of bowel clean-out treatment that provides immediate relief. However, they are typically not used unless other conservative treatment options are ineffective or a doctor recommends them. Most treatment methods, including lifestyle changes and medications like laxatives, do not result in immediate relief from constipation.
02. When should I be worried about constipation?
The “normal” frequency of bowel movements is different for each individual. If you notice a considerable difference in your bowel habits, it is best to seek medical advice to rule out any underlying medical conditions.
03. Can I leave constipation untreated?
While many cases of constipation are acute and clear up on their own, it is vital that you seek medical help if home remedies are proving to be ineffective. This is because constipation could indicate the presence of other medical conditions.
