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Milk thistle
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A herb that deters prostate enlargement.
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Garlic, Ginger, and Grapeseed Extract
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Best herbs for PMS and menopause.
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Ginkgo biloba
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Royal Jelly
Natural nutrients for youth and beauty
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LaxaColon:
DreamPharm herbal formula for constipation relief
"Intestinal discomfort - a Trojian horse so popularly overlooked."
Diagnosis of constipation
How is constipation diagnosed and what tests and techniques are used?
For most instances and people, extensive testing is not necessary, and can be
treated with changes in diet and exercise. For example, in young people
with mild symptoms, a medical history and physical examination may be all the
doctor needs to suggest successful treatment. The tests the doctor performs
depends on the duration and severity of the constipation, the person's age,
and whether there is blood in stools, recent changes in bowel movements,
or weight loss, etc.
Medical History
The doctor may ask a patient to describe his or her conditions indicating
constipation, which includes duration of symptoms, frequency of bowel movements,
condition of stools such as presence of blood in the stool, and toilet habits
(how often and where one has bowel movements). Recording eating habits,
medication, and level of physical activity or exercise also helps the
doctor determine the cause of constipation.
Physical Examination
A physical exam may include a digital rectal exam with a gloved,
lubricated finger to evaluate the tone of the muscle that closes off the
anus (anal sphincter) and to detect tenderness, obstruction, or blood.
In some cases, blood and thyroid tests may be necessary.
Extensive testing usually is reserved for people with severe
symptoms, for those with sudden changes in number and consistency of
bowel movements or blood in the stool, and for older adults. Because of
an increased risk of colorectal cancer in older adults, the doctor may
use these tests to rule out a diagnosis of cancer:
Barium enema x-ray
Sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy
Colorectal transit study
Anorectal function tests.
Barium Enema X-Ray
A barium enema x-ray involves viewing the rectum, colon, and lower
part of the small intestine to locate any problems. This part of the
digestive tract is known as the bowel. This test may show intestinal
obstruction and Hirschsprung's disease, a lack of nerves within the
colon.
The night before the test, bowel cleansing, also called bowel
prep, is necessary to clear the lower digestive tract. The patient
drinks 8 ounces of a special liquid every 15 minutes for about 4 hours.
This liquid flushes out the bowel. A clean bowel is important, because
even a small amount of stool in the colon can hide details and result in
an inaccurate exam.
Because the colon does not show up well on an x-ray, the doctor
fills the organs with a barium enema, a chalky liquid to make the area
visible. Once the mixture coats the organs, x-rays are taken that reveal
their shape and condition. The patient may feel some abdominal cramping
when the barium fills the colon, but usually feels little discomfort
after the procedure. Stools may be a whitish color for a few days after
the exam.
Sigmoidoscopy or Colonoscopy
An examination of the rectum and lower colon (sigmoid) is called a
sigmoidoscopy. An examination of the rectum and entire colon is called a
colonoscopy.
The night before a sigmoidoscopy, the patient usually has a liquid
dinner and takes an enema in the early morning. A light breakfast and a
cleansing enema an hour before the test may also be necessary.
To perform a sigmoidoscopy, the doctor uses a long, flexible tube
with a light on the end called a sigmoidoscope to view the rectum and
lower colon. First, the doctor examines the rectum with a gloved,
lubricated finger. Then, the sigmoidoscope is inserted through the anus
into the rectum and lower colon. The procedure may cause a mild
sensation of wanting to move the bowels and abdominal pressure.
Sometimes the doctor fills the organs with air to get a better view. The
air may cause mild cramping.
To perform a colonoscopy, the doctor uses a flexible tube with a
light on the end called a colonoscope to view the entire colon. This
tube is longer than a sigmoidoscope. The same bowel cleansing used for
the barium x-ray is needed to clear the bowel of waste. The patient is
lightly sedated before the exam. During the exam, the patient lies on
his or her side and the doctor inserts the tube through the anus and
rectum into the colon. If an abnormality is seen, the doctor can use the
colonoscope to remove a small piece of tissue for examination (biopsy).
The patient may feel gassy and bloated after the procedure.
Colorectal Transit Study
This test, reserved for those with chronic constipation, shows how
well food moves through the colon. The patient swallows capsules
containing small markers, which are visible on x-ray. The movement of
the markers through the colon is monitored with abdominal x-rays taken
several times 3 to 7 days after the capsule is swallowed. The patient
follows a high-fiber diet during the course of this test.
Anorectal Function Tests
These tests diagnose constipation caused by abnormal functioning
of the anus or rectum (anorectal function). Anorectal manometry
evaluates anal sphincter muscle function. A catheter or air-filled
balloon inserted into the anus is slowly pulled back through the
sphincter muscle to measure muscle tone and contractions.
Defecography is an x-ray of the anorectal area that evaluates
completeness of stool elimination, identifies anorectal abnormalities,
and evaluates rectal muscle contractions and relaxation. During the
exam, the doctor fills the rectum with a soft paste that is the same
consistency as stool. The patient sits on a toilet positioned inside an
x-ray machine and then relaxes and squeezes the anus and expels the
solution. The doctor studies the x-rays for anorectal problems that
occurred while the patient emptied the paste.
Rerefence resources:
NIDDK National Digestive Disease Clearinghouse: constipation information
The American Gastroenterological Association: about constipation
National Institute on Age, Administration on Aging: What is constipation?
Colon cleansing, Laxative, an excellent herbal formula for constipation relief
Causes of Constipation
Diagnosis of Constipation
Treatment of Constipation
Constipation: Introduction
Constipation Link
Constipation Link 2
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