Constipation

Definition-​ Constipation is passing fewer than 3 stools a week or having a difficult time passing stool.  Stool may be hard, dry, and lumpy, causing person to strain when having a bowel movement.  There may be a feeling that not all stool has passed.  It may be necessary to use a finger to pass stool.  This problem is commonly due to lack of dietary fiber, fluids, and exercise.

Symptoms

• Fewer than three stools a week

• Hard, dry or lumpy stools

• Straining or pain when passing stools

Chronic constipation is having two or more of these symptoms for three months or longer.

Causes

​​​

• Lack of dietary fiber

• Lack of fluids

• Lack of exercise

• Medications- opioid pain relievers, blood pressure, seizures, depression, nervous system, allergy

• Pelvic floor muscle weakness and coordination problems

• Blockages in the colon or rectum

Functional Medicine Approach

• You will have a full assessment of your current lifestyle, nutrition, stress level and management, and sleep health and hygiene.

• Individualized plans of care will be created by the practitioner and patient. 

• Depending on your specific symptoms, there may be more targeted assessment and testing of blood sugar metabolism, thyroid function, pituitary. or hypothalamus function and cardiovascular assessment, gut imbalances, food intolerances, toxin screening, hormone imbalance, antibody intolerances, inflammatory markers, and/or deficiencies of nutrients.  

• After finding the root cause of illness plans may be revised.  Solutions can be multi-layered and take time, especially auto-immune disease and hormone imbalance.  We may need to integrate care with a specialist after referral.

• Detox plans are gentle and supervised if necessary.