Just another iHealthSpot WP02 site

Due to a recent recall on Magnesium Citrate, please do not use any colonoscopy preparations that include this product in the instructions. If your instructions suggest using magnesium citrate, please contact our office for further instructions.

North Shore Gastroenterology
  •  
    (440) 808-1212

  • Patient Portal 

  • Online Bill Pay 

  • Request an Appointment 

MENUMENU
  • About Us
  • Meet Our Team
    • Physicians
      • Mousab Tabbaa, MD
      • Iqbal Ahmed, MD, FACG
      • Rinjal Brahmbhatt, MD
      • James Harris, MD, FACG
      • Kimberly Harris, MD
      • Preeti Jhawar, DO
      • Mohamed S. Naem, MD
      • Michael Springer, MD
      • Robert Straub, MD
      • J. Owen Tully, MD
    • Advanced Practitioners
  • Conditions We Treat
  • Procedures
    • Colonoscopy
    • Colon Cancer Screening
    • Upper Endoscopy (EGD)
    • Breath Test
    • Barrx™ (Treatment of Barrett’s Esophagus)
    • Bravo™ (Treatment for Reflux)
    • Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
    • Anorectal Manometry
    • Medtronic Bowel Control Therapy
    • Dilation of Esophageal Strictures
    • Small-Bowel Capsule Endoscopy (PillCam™)
    • In-Office Procedures
    • Infusion Services
    • Advanced Endoscopic Procedures in Hospital
  • Patient Resources
    • Patient Forms
    • Pre-Op Instructions
    • Post-Op Instructions
    • FAQs
    • Online Bill Pay
    • Useful Links
  • Blog
  • Contact & Locations
    • Westlake, Ohio
    • Brooklyn, Ohio

Treatments for Constipation

July 12, 2019

in Constipation
July 12, 2019
Tagged With: Constipation, digestive disorders, gastroenterologist

For the most part constipation – the uncomfortable condition that makes it hard to pass stools – can be the result of a poor diet, lack of physical activity, medications and even stress. Some would rather hold it in than go at work, school or in an unfamiliar place. This is especially true of children who may fear making a mess, being ridiculed or getting in trouble. No matter the reason why one gets blocked up, if the condition persists for weeks, then it’s likely you’ve developed chronic constipation. If it’s been a while since you have passed a stool, find yourself straining, or have developed hemorrhoids, then it’s time to seek treatment. And your gastroenterologist is the one to help.

Diagnosis

A gastroenterologist specializes in ensuring you have a properly functioning and healthy digestive tract. Your visit with your gastroenterologist will include being asked a series of questions about your family and medical history; questions about your lifestyle, to include sleeping habits, diet, exercise and work; and whether you have any additional stressors. He then will conduct a medical exam that includes collecting stool and blood samples; he likely will check your thyroid and examine your stomach to look for any abnormalities and to rule out intestinal blockage. He may also perform a digital rectal exam, as well as order imaging tests such as an X-ray, sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. From his findings your gastroenterologist will advise a course of treatment.

Treatment

If your gastroenterologist determines that your constipation can change through conservative treatments, he may advise diet and lifestyle changes to include —

  • Healthy diet. Foods that are high in fiber increase the rate at which stools move through your intestines. Some healthy examples include whole-wheat bread, oats, cereals, rye, raw vegetables, apples and berries, prunes, and nuts. On the contrary, foods that are high in fat and sodium, and processed foods often facilitate constipate and should be avoided.
  • Staying hydrated. Keeping your insides hydrated helps soften hard stools, allows the digestive tract to function efficiently and helps to flush out waste. Water is the best. Don’t assume that alcohol or soda are fine just because they are liquid; some drinks may actually dehydrate you due to sugar and salt content!
  • Exercise or physical activity. Movement helps with the passing of stools through the intestines by increasing muscle activity, oxygen, and blood flow. Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day.
  • Making time to go. Rushing around in the morning, riding public transportation or simply not wanting to go in a public place all can impact your bowel habits. If you feel like going, you should go. Carve out time in the morning after a cup of coffee or while checking your emails. And no matter where you are on the toilet, take your time to ensure the passing of all stools.
  • Increasing fiber. Your gastroenterologist may recommend fiber supplements such as psyllium fiber or stimulants that cause your intestines to contract. He may also recommend osmotics such as milk of magnesia and lactulose to draw water from the intestines to encourage smooth passing of stools.
  • Suppositories and enemas. Placed inside the anus, they over-the-counter treatments provide temporary relief by softening the stools closest to the anus to relieve temporary blockage and constipation.

Other Factors

In certain cases, remedying constipation is more than adhering to lifestyle and behavioral changes, as your constipation may be the result of an underlying medical condition such as diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, or stroke. Chronic constipation can also be a sign of issues with the colon or rectum, to include intestinal obstruction, irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulosis, or previous laxative misuse. Depending on your diagnosis, medical treatment or even surgical intervention may be necessary to relieve the underlying causes of your constipation.

Constipation Treatment in Ohio

If you are suffering from constipation, the gastroenterologists at North Shore Gastroenterology can help. Our gastroenterologists and medical staff are recognized as leaders in the treatment of all digestive disorders. Call us at (440) 808-1212 or request an appointment online now at either our Westlake or Brooklyn locations.

Primary Sidebar

Categories

  • Celiac Disease
  • cirrhosis
  • Colon Cancer
  • Colonoscopy
  • Constipation
  • Crohn's Disease
  • digestive health
  • Gastroenterology
  • General
  • GI
  • GI Doctor
  • Heartburn
  • IBS
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  • Lactose intolerance
July 2019
M T W T F S S
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
293031  
« Jun   Aug »

Tags

best gi specialist near me bloating Colon Cancer Colon Cancer Diagnsosis Cleveland OH Colon Cancer Prevention colon cancer screening Colon Cancer Screening Brooklyn OH Colon Cancer Screening Cleveland OH Colon Cancer Screening near me colon cancer screening Westlake OH Colon Cancer Symptoms colonoscopy near me Constipation Crohn's Disease digestive disorders digestive health gastroenterologist gastroenterologist Brooklyn OH gastroenterologist near me Gastroenterologists in Brooklyn Gastroenterologists in Westlake gastroenterologists near me Gastroenterologist Westlake OH gastroesophageal reflux disease GI gi doctor near me GI doctors Brooklyn OH gi doctor Westlake OH gi specialist near me IBS IBS treatment near me Indigestion Lactose intolerance Lactose Intolerance Diagnosis Lactose Intolerance Doctors Cleveland OH Lactose Intolerance Symptoms Lactose Intolerance Test in Brooklyn Lactose Intolerance Testing lactose intolerance testing Brooklyn OH lactose intolerance testing near me lactose intolerance testing Westlake OH Lactose Intolerance treatment Lactose intolerance treatment near me North Shore Gastroenterology stomach ache

Footer

  • Blog

    Discover the latest information on medical breakthroughs in the field of gastroenterology, as well as updates related to our practice at North Shore Gastroenterology’s exclusive online blog.

      LEARN MORE
  • Patient Education

    Everything you need to know about many of the gastrointestinal conditions we treat at North Shore Gastroenterology is at the tip of your fingers with our convenient patient education library.

      LEARN MORE
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Conditions We Treat
  • Contact & Locations
  • Meet Our Team
  • Patient Resources
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap

© Copyright ·North Shore Gastroenterology· All Rights Reserved

  • Westlake Office & Endoscopy Center
    850 Columbia Road, Suite 200
    Westlake, OH 44145
    Phone: (440) 808-1212
  • Ridge Park Office & Endoscopy Center
    7580 Northcliff Avenue, Suite 1000
    Brooklyn, OH 44144
    Phone: (440) 808-1212

 

At North Shore Gastroenterology & Endoscopy Centers, our compassionate doctors provide a variety of services including Colonoscopy, Colon Cancer Screening, Upper Endoscopy (EGD), Breath Test, Flexible Sigmoidoscopy, Anorectal Manometry, Medtronic Bowel Control Therapy, Dilation of Esophageal Strictures, Infusion Services, and Advanced Endoscopic Procedures in Hospital.

  • Home
  • Request an Appointment
  • About Us
  • Meet Our Team
    • Physicians
      • Mousab Tabbaa, MD
      • Iqbal Ahmed, MD, FACG
      • Rinjal Brahmbhatt, MD
      • James Harris, MD, FACG
      • Kimberly Harris, MD
      • Preeti Jhawar, DO
      • Mohamed S. Naem, MD
      • Michael Springer, MD
      • Robert Straub, MD
      • J. Owen Tully, MD
      • Back
    • Advanced Practitioners
    • Back
  • Patient Resources
    • Patient Forms
    • Pre-Op Instructions
    • Post-Op Instructions
    • FAQs
    • Online Bill Pay
    • Useful Links
    • Back
  • Conditions We Treat
  • Procedures
    • Colonoscopy
    • Colon Cancer Screening
    • Upper Endoscopy (EGD)
    • Breath Test
    • Barrx™ (Treatment of Barrett’s Esophagus)
    • Bravo™ (Treatment for Reflux)
    • Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
    • Anorectal Manometry
    • Medtronic Bowel Control Therapy
    • Dilation of Esophageal Strictures
    • Small-Bowel Capsule Endoscopy (PillCam™)
    • In-Office Procedures
    • Infusion Services
    • Advanced Endoscopic Procedures in Hospital
    • Back
  • Blog
  • Contact & Locations
    • Westlake, Ohio
    • Brooklyn, Ohio
    • Back