What Is The Deal With Bloody Constipation?
At its most basic, constipation is infrequent bowel movements. But, like many conditions, constipation is not limited to a single symptom. Constipation can also include dry, hard stools that are difficult and sometimes painful to pass during a bowel movement. If the constipation persists and the feces is not removed, pressure can begin to build on the abdomen leading to cramping, nausea, and even loss of appetite. In some cases, the condition can even progress to bloody constipation.
Bloody constipation can generally be referred to as hemorrhoids. This is not to say that all instances of blood in the stool are the result of hemorrhoids, but they are the most likely culprit. Bloody constipation, or hemorrhoids, are the result of swollen veins at the anus. These veins are strained during prolonged and intense bowel movements, usually as a result of dry, hard stool (constipation).
Now it is possible that the dry, hard stool was caused by a lack of fluids and therefore is only a short term case of constipation. However, in order for hemorrhoids to occur, it generally takes a very acute case of constipation caused by a fecal impaction.
A fecal impaction can lead to bloody constipation because it is basically a blockage at the bottom of the large intestine and rectum. Feces dries up and hardens to form a fecal impaction to the point that no new waste can be passed beyond the impaction point. A person must strain harder and harder to have a bowel movement with less and less being passed. Bloody constipation is the result of this continued straining.
Eventually, the fecal impaction may completely block off the rest of the bowels and not allow any new feces to pass through. When having a bowel movement, a person may notice a milky substance being excreted—this is a sure sign of a fecal impaction because that substance is the only waste getting through the impaction. The blockage must be removed and a colonic irrigation or cleansing are the most effective means of doing so.
Bloody constipation may also be the result of rectal bleeding. Rectal bleeding may be the result of a fissure which is caused when a hard and dry stool tears the anus tissue during a bowel movement. Fissures cause the nerves to be exposed and therefore make bowel movement extremely painful.
Finally, the most troubling potential source of bloody constipation is a polyp or colon cancer. Polyps are non-cancerous and will grow inside the colon until they eventually begin to bleed. It is possible for some kinds of polyps to become cancerous, however. This is precisely why bloody constipation is such a concern. It is highly recommended that you consult with your physician at the first sign of bloody constipation.
One of the easiest ways to prevent bloody constipation is to cleanse your colon and intestines at regular intervals. This will remove any feces clinging to the walls of the colon or intestines and thus reduce the chances of a fecal impaction and the resulting constipation. Be sure to use colon cleansers made from natural ingredients because harsh chemicals can cause side effects and even kill some of the useful bacteria living in your bowels. In addition to regular colon cleansings, maintaining a diet rich in fiber while drinking plenty of liquids is the best prevention against bloody constipation.
