What is physical constipation?

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Vu Van Quan - Gastroenterologist - Department of General Surgery & Anesthesiology - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital

In our country today, the situation of constipation is increasing, especially in young people working in offices due to many reasons such as work pressure, stress, sedentary life and long sitting. Constipation is divided into two types: physical constipation and functional constipation.

Constipation is an abnormal condition of the digestive system that causes constipated people not to have regular bowel movements or have hard, strained stools during bowel movements. In general, the number of bowel movements is different, but usually less than 3 times a week with hard, dry stools.
Most cases of constipation are temporary and can be treated with over-the-counter laxatives combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercising, eating a high-fiber diet, and avoiding sitting lots of. Constipation is divided into 2 types:
Organic constipation: is constipation due to physical causes such as structural or functional damage in or outside the gastrointestinal tract, requiring intervention with the physical cause to improve. improve constipation. Functional constipation: accounting for 95% of constipation cases due to dysfunction and unreasonable lifestyle. Functional constipation is diagnosed only when physical causes have been excluded.

Patients may have physical constipation due to some of the following reasons:
Abnormalities that obstruct the passage of stool: most commonly, tumors of the rectum and colon cause the patient to pass bloody mucus and bloody stools and may have a bowel obstruction. Tumor detection through colonoscopy. Congenital lesions: enlarged colon, dilated colon,... Lesions located in the rectum, anus: hemorrhoids, anal fissures, anal stenosis due to sequelae of anal infection Foreign objects press on causing obstruction to defecation: pregnant women, especially in the last month of pregnancy, when the large fetus easily presses on the rectum, pelvic tumors, ligaments after surgery, colitis causing colorectal narrow colon... Constipation due to pathological damage to the brain, meninges: nerve damage in the cauda equina, meningeal herniation in the sacral region,...

In addition to the general symptoms of constipation such as bowel movements less than three times a week, hard stools, excessive straining during bowel movements and a feeling of rectal obstruction, the sensation of having a bowel movement is still present in the intestines. , patients can think of physical constipation when there are the following manifestations:
The anus and perianal area are abnormal. Examination of the spine, sacrum, asymmetrical gluteal muscles, central depression, scoliosis,... Unexplained neuromuscular signs. Abnormal lower extremity neuromuscular reflexes. Blood in stool without anal fissure.

In most cases, dietary and lifestyle changes will help reduce symptoms and conditions. Patients should:
Develop a high-fiber diet to help soften stools. Regular exercise helps stimulate intestinal activity. Drinking plenty of water and other liquids will help soften stools. Laxatives can be considered as a last resort because they can make the patient dependent on the drug. There are several common types of laxatives such as: stimulants that cause rhythmic contractions in the intestines, lubricants, stool softeners, moisturizers to prevent dehydration, ...

If the patient has physical constipation due to one of the reasons mentioned, it is necessary to treat the main cause of the disease plus a moderate diet and lifestyle to achieve the best treatment effect. Patients with physical constipation, if not treated early, will cause many dangerous complications.