Chronic constipation generally causes people to strain excessively to pass their stools. The chances of having complications are greater when a person has chronic constipation. Here are the complications that can occur as a result of chronic constipation.
The difference between Constipation and Chronic Constipation
Constipation can be defined as infrequent bowel movements or difficulty in passing stools that can persist for several weeks. If a person is having fewer than three bowel movements a week, they are said to be constipated.
Chronic constipation happens when constipation goes one step further and begins to interfere with their daily routine. Also, if you are dealing with symptoms of constipation for more than 3 months, your constipation can be called chronic in nature.
Complications of Chronic Constipation
The 4 complications that can occur as a result of Chronic Constipation are
- Hemorrhoids or Piles
- Anal Fissure
- Fecal Impaction
- Rectal Prolapse
Hemorrhoids caused by Chronic Constipation
When people are constipated, they are likely to push hard so that they can get the stools out of their body. When we push hard, the veins around the rectum and anus can swell. These swollen veins are called hemorrhoids, or piles. When the veins inside the anus are swollen, they are called Internal Piles or Hemorrhoids. When the veins under the skin around the anus or the lining of the anus are swollen, they are termed external piles.
Hemorrhoids can itch and are painful. During bowel movement they can cause bleeding, often referred to as Bleeding Piles. The bleeding most times is found as streaks of blood on the stool or on the toilet tissue paper. Sometimes the blood can pool inside a piles and in such a condition the piles is called a prolapsed piles. This causes a hard lump and can often be painful. Hemorrhoids can also cause skin tags, blood clots, or infections for some.
Anal Fissure caused by Chronic Constipation
When hard stools are passed or when straining to pass stools, the tissue around the anus can tear. These tears are referred to as anal fissures. They mostly cause itching and can pain. Most anal fissures cause bleeding too. Anal fissure happens more in children as they hold their stool out of fear of the pain.
The tears are very small. But sometimes, especialy in cases of Chronic Constipation, they can grow larger. This can affect the ring of muscle at the opening of the anus and is often hard to heal. Only a surgery can help fix this kind of anal fissures.
Fecal Impaction caused by Chronic Constipation
In rare cases, when stools do not get out of the body, they can stick together like cement in the intestines. This hardened mass can cause a blockage. Our colon normally squeezes to push out the stool. But this movement is absent when fecal impaction happens as the hardened mass of stool does not allow the colon to move. When the intestine is blocked due to fecal impaction, it causes pain and vomiting. Fecal impaction requires emergency treatment and in most cases a surgical intervention.
Rectal Prolapse caused by Chronic Constipation
Our rectum is the final part of the large intestine. Constant straining to pass stools can stretch the rectum and can make it slip outside the body. Either part or whole rectum can slip and come out. Rectal prolapse is painful and may cause bleeding. This condition also needs to be treated as an emergency.
All the above problems can still be managed easily and do not end up endangering lives. But people with heart problems should avoid constipation or straining to pass stool. This is because too much straining can compromise the heart blood supply and may lead to heart attack.
Hence if you are just beginning to show signs of constipation it is always better to consult and take advice from your doctor. If the doctor determines that the constipation is at its beginning stage, you will be recommended for lifestyle changes and adding more fiber rich food to your diet. If the doctor determines that the constipation requires treatment, you will be prescribed medications to deal with it.