Constipation Treatment in Mumbai

Constipation is a very common problem that affects people of all ages. It is the difficulty in passing stools, not-so-frequent bowel movements, or even a feeling of incomplete stool. At Gleneagles Hospitals, we understand how this problem can impact your life. We offer comprehensive care to help you manage this condition effectively. Let’s look at the types of constipation and understand the need for acute constipation treatment as well as solutions for chronic constipation treatment. 

Constipation is known as having less than three bowel movements in a week. It generally involves passing hard, dry, or lumpy stools that are difficult or painful to come out. Many people can experience the sensation that not all of the stool has passed after a bowel movement. 

It is important to note that normal bowel movements can differ from person to person. Some people may have bowel movements several times in a day, while others may have them only a few times in a week. What’s most important to understand here is your regular pattern and recognise when you feel some changes are occurring.
 

There are mainly two types of constipation issues. These include:
 

1. Acute Constipation: This type of constipation focuses on addressing sudden constipation that generally lasts only for a short period of time. This generally occurs due to temporary changes and factors like:
 

• Diet
• Routine
• Medications
• Stress Levels
   

However, with proper care and lifestyle adjustment, acute constipation usually resolves on its own within a few days to a week.
 

2. Chronic Constipation: This type of constipation addresses long-term bowel movement difficulties that typically last for 3 months or longer. This is a consistent form of indigestion that can indicate an underlying health condition that requires comprehensive evaluation and management. Chronic constipation treatment requires different kinds of approaches that include:
 

• Lifestyle Modifications
• Medications
• Specialized Therapies
   

Understanding the signs of constipation helps in seeking timely medical attention. Symptoms include:
 

• Fewer than three bowel movements weekly
• Hard, dry, or lumpy stools
• Straining during bowel movements
• Pain when passing stools
• Feeling that the rectum is blocked
• Abdominal discomfort or bloating
• Feeling that the bowel hasn't emptied completely
   

Multiple factors can contribute to constipation:
 

1. Lifestyle Factors:

• Insufficient fiber intake
• Inadequate fluid consumption
• Lack of physical activity
• Ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement
• Changes in routine (like traveling)
• High consumption of dairy products
   

2. Medications: Several medications can cause constipation as a side effect, including:
 

• Strong pain medications (especially opioids)
• Antidepressants
• Iron supplements
• Antacids containing aluminum or calcium
• Blood pressure medications
• Antiseizure drugs
   

3. Medical Conditions: Constipation may result from underlying health issues such as:
 

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Hypothyroidism
• Diabetes
• Neurological disorders (Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis)
• Colorectal cancer
• Diverticulitis
• Pelvic floor dysfunction
   

Before determining the best treatment for constipation, healthcare providers at Gleneagles Hospitals conduct thorough evaluations to identify the underlying cause. The diagnostic process may include:

1. Medical History Assessment: Your constipation specialist doctor in Mumbai will ask about your bowel habits, diet, exercise routine, medication use, and family history of digestive issues.

2. Physical Examination: This includes checking vital signs and examining the abdomen for tenderness, swelling, or masses. A digital rectal examination may be performed to check for problems in the rectum.

3. Diagnostic Tests:Depending on your symptoms and medical history, various tests may be ordered:
 

• Blood tests to check for hypothyroidism, diabetes, or other conditions
• Stool samples to look for blood or infection
• Imaging tests like CT scans or MRIs
• Colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy to view the inside of your colon
• Transit studies to track how food moves through your digestive tract
• Anorectal function tests to assess how well your anus and rectum work together
   

The best treatment for constipation depends on its cause, severity, and duration. Treatment typically begins with lifestyle changes and progresses to medications or procedures if necessary.

1. Lifestyle Modifications
 

a. Dietary Changes:
 

• Increase fiber intake (aim for 18-30 grams daily)
• Consume more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes
• Stay well-hydrated with at least 8 glasses of water daily
• Limit foods that can cause constipation (processed foods, dairy, red meat)
   

b. Physical Activity: Regular exercise stimulates intestinal contractions and helps move stool through the colon. Even light activities like walking can make a significant difference.
 

c. Bathroom Habits:
 

• Don't ignore the urge to have a bowel movement
• Establish a regular toilet routine
• Allow sufficient time for bowel movements
• Consider using a footstool to create a squatting position
   

2. Medications for Constipation
 

a. Over-the-Counter Options:
 

• Fiber supplements (psyllium, methylcellulose)
• Stool softeners (docusate sodium)
• Osmotic laxatives (polyethylene glycol, magnesium citrate)
• Stimulant laxatives (bisacodyl, senna)
   

b. Prescription Medications:
 

• For more severe constipation treatment, doctors may prescribe:
• Lubiprostone (Amitiza)
• Linaclotide (Linzess)
• Plecanatide (Trulance)
• Prucalopride (Prudac, Motegrity)
• Lactulose
   

3. Special Considerations for Different Age Groups
 

a. Infant Constipation Treatment: Infant constipation treatment requires special care. For babies, constipation may present differently than in adults:
 

• Consider adjusting formula if bottle-feeding
• For breastfed babies, ensure adequate milk intake
• When introducing solid foods, focus on high-fiber options
• Gentle tummy massage may help stimulate bowel movements
• Bicycle leg exercises can promote movement
• Consult a pediatrician before using any medications
   

b. Elderly Patients: Older adults are particularly susceptible to constipation due to decreased mobility, medication use, and chronic conditions. Treatment focuses on:
 

• Maintaining adequate hydration
• Ensuring sufficient fiber intake
• Regular physical activity appropriate to their ability level
• Medication review to identify constipation-causing drugs
• Prompt medical attention to avoid complications
   

4. Advanced Treatments for Chronic Constipation: When lifestyle changes and medications don't provide relief, more advanced options may be considered:
 

a. Biofeedback Therapy: This technique trains patients to better coordinate the muscles involved in bowel movements, particularly helpful for pelvic floor dysfunction.
 

b. Surgery: In rare cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to address structural problems causing constipation, such as:
 

• Removing blockages
• Repairing a rectal prolapse
• Treating other structural abnormalities
   

Without proper constipation treatment, complications may develop:

• Hemorrhoids
• Anal fissures (tears in the lining of the anus)
• Fecal impaction (hardened stool that can't be expelled)
• Rectal prolapse (rectum protruding from the anus)
• Diverticulitis (inflammation of small pouches in the colon)
   

Prevention is always better than cure. Here are strategies to maintain regular bowel movements:
 

• Consume a fiber-rich diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
• Stay well-hydrated throughout the day
• Exercise regularly
• Respond promptly to the urge to have a bowel movement
• Manage stress through relaxation techniques
• Avoid excessive consumption of constipating foods
   

While occasional constipation is common, certain symptoms warrant immediate medical attention:
 

• Severe abdominal pain
• Blood in your stool
• Unexplained weight loss
• Severe constipation that alternates with diarrhea
• Constipation lasting longer than three weeks
• New-onset constipation in older adults
• Constipation accompanied by vomiting
   

Constipation treatment in Mumbai has advanced significantly, with modern healthcare facilities like Gleneagles Hospitals offering comprehensive diagnostic and treatment options. Our gastroenterology departments are equipped with state-of-the-art technology and staffed by experienced specialists who provide personalised care for all digestive disorders, including constipation.

At Gleneagles Hospitals, we offer:
 

• Expert gastroenterologists specialised in digestive disorders
• Extensive diagnostic facilities
• Individual-based treatment modalities
• Holistic modalities involving a mix of medicine and lifestyle modifications
• Advanced therapeutic modalities for chronic cases
• Supportive care to enhance quality of life.