How Are Abdominal Pain And Constipation Linked?
Constipation is one of those rare conditions that just keeps giving, and giving… Some people only suffer from infrequent bowel movements when they have constipation. Less fortunate sufferers may seek constipation relief for symptoms like: hard or dry stool, difficulty or pain when having a bowel movement, cramps, nausea, and yes, abdominal pain.
But are abdominal pain and constipation actually linked? The simple answer is: Yes, they are. Now there are times when abdominal pains have nothing to do with constipation and vice versa. However, abdominal pain and constipation are linked when a fecal impaction is involved.
Fecal Impaction Causes Both Abdominal Pain and Constipation
A fecal impaction occurs when feces collects at the bottom of the long intestine and rectum. The feces or stool will harden at this critical juncture in the bowels and cause a blockage. Initially, this will cause cramping and some discomfort in the rectum. Abdominal pain and constipation become linked when feces begins to pile up behind the fecal impaction, causing pressure to build.
The pressure caused by the feces not being able to move past the fecal impaction will begin to mount and be felt in the abdomen. The longer the blockage remains, the greater the abdominal pain will become. Oddly enough, however, it does not appear like abdominal pain and constipation are linked to the casual observer when both are caused by a fecal impaction. In fact, it will probably seem more like a bad case of the flu than constipation.
Although a fecal impaction will not allow solid stool past, it will allow watery stool to pass. So when a person suffering from abdominal pain and constipation tries to have a bowel movement, only watery stool comes out. Therefore, a person might conclude that they have diarrhea and abdominal pains because of the flu—not constipation!
Fecal impactions causing abdominal pain and constipation must be eliminated before they cause more serious health problems. Laxatives are generally used to help relieve short term constipation but they will not be entirely effective against fecal impactions. This is because laxatives will not actually cleanse the bowels and remove the feces and waste that accumulates on the walls of the intestines and colon. A laxative may temporarily relieve an impaction but the condition will return if the feces on the walls of the intestines and colon are not removed.
A doctor might treat abdominal pain and constipation caused by a fecal impaction by performing a colonic irrigation. It is actually as bad as it sounds but it has proven effective at eliminating blockages and the feces that causes them. However, it is also possible to find products that will cleanse the colon and intestines by dissolving the feces clinging to the walls of the colon and intestines.
Colon cleansing products should be made from only natural ingredients as chemical-based cleansers may cause harmful side effects and may destroy good bacteria (intestinal flora). PoopDoc colon cleanser is an all – natural product and highly recommended. It also encourages the friendly bacteria and discourages the unfriendly bacteria in the gut. In addition to a good cleansing, proper diet is necessary to avoid future abdominal pain and constipation. Eating foods rich in fiber will soften your stool and add bulk so that waste passes easily through to the rectum. Finally, be sure to avoid future problems with abdominal pain and constipation by drinking plenty of fluids and engaging in physical activities.
