Normally categorized as having fewer than three bowel movements per week, constipation is the difficult passage of stool, which becomes hard and dry after moving too slowly through the digestive tract. It is a common condition that can occur acutely or chronically. When diagnosed as chronic, treatment becomes dependent on treating the underlying cause.
Chronic constipation may be caused by issues including:
Blockages in the colon or rectum
Hormonal imbalances
Issues with the nerves throughout the colon rectum
Problems with pelvic muscles
Diarrhea
Diarrhea is loose and watery stools that happen more frequently than usual and may be accompanied by abdominal cramps. An acute case of diarrhea only lasts for a few days, whereas chronic diarrhea lingers for a period exceeding three weeks. Chronic diarrhea may also be an indication of a more serious disorder.
Acute diarrhea is generally caused by a bacterial, parasitic or viral infection but may also be caused by:
Bloody stool suggests a bleed somewhere in the digestive tract, which begins at the mouth and ends at the rectum. While in some cases blood in the stool may only be detected through a procedure known as a fecal occult test, other times it may be visible after wiping or in the toilet.
The blood may also vary on color depending on where the bleeding is occurring; the higher in the digestive tract the blood is, the darker and thicker the blood excreted becomes.
Bloody stool may be the result of conditions such as:
Recommendations to relieve constipation may include:
Increasing fiber intake
Exercise
Not ignoring bowel movement urges
Fiber supplements
Stimulants
Osmotics
Lubricants
Stool softeners
Prescribed medications that draw water into the intestines
Surgery (only an option in the case of anal fissures, rectocele or anal strictures)
Diarrhea
Suggested treatments for diarrhea may include:
Adjusting current medications
Antibiotics to treat bacterial or parasitic infections causing diarrhea
Fluid and mineral replenishment by mouth or intravenously (IV)
Stool Abnormalities
In order to effectively treat stool abnormalities, the condition causing it must be treated.
To stop acute bleeding, an endoscopy may be performed to locate the bleed and inject chemicals, treat the bleed with a laser or apply a band or clip. An angiography may also be done to inject medicines into the blood vessels to control the bleed.
Once the immediate bleeding has been stopped, treatments to prevent future bleeding may include:
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