CONSTIPATION

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Constipation is a symptom, not a disease.

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Although constipation is seen as a difficult defecation in some patients, it is also expressed as lumpy defecation, inability to defecate despite the need for the toilet, or a decrease in defecation frequency.

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We say that our patient has clinical constipation when 2 of the following occur during a 3-month period in the last year;

1- Less than three defecations per week

2- Hard stools in more than 25% of the total toilet need

3-The feeling of not being able to empty more than 25% of the total toilet need

4- Excessive strain on more than 25% of the total toilet need

5-The need for finger ejaculation to ensure ejaculation during the toilet

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Patients with constipation should be evaluated in terms of lifestyle, dietary fiber (fiber) and water content, and their medical history, operations, and psychiatric diseases should be questioned. Medication use of patients should be reviewed and necessary physical examinations should be performed. If necessary, blood tests (complete blood count, calcium, glucose, thyroid functions) should be requested.

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If someone with constipation has one of the following findings or conditions, colonoscopy should be performed;

• Change in stool thickness

• Positive occult blood in stool

• Iron deficiency anemia

• Obstructive findings

• Every patient over the age of 50 who has not been screened for colon cancer before

• New onset constipation

• Bleeding from the rectum

• Rectal prolapse

• Weight loss

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In the treatment approach of constipation, lifestyle changes, diet and supplements, medications and, in necessary cases, surgical treatment methods can be used.