Constipation - A Serious Issue And Pelvic Floor Physio Treatment

 

Constipation normally occurs when waste/stool moves too slowly through the digestive tract or cannot be wiped out effectively from the rectum, which may cause the stool to become hard and dry.

How does constipation happen?

Constipation happens because the colon absorbs maximum water from waste (stool/poop), which dries out the stool and it becomes hard in consistency and difficult to push out of the body.

To back up a bit, as food normally moves through the digestive tract, nutrients are absorbed. The partially digested food or waste that remains in a moving stage from the small intestine to the large intestine is also called the colon. The colon absorbs water from this waste and puts together a solid matter called stool. If you have constipation, food may move very slowly through the digestive tract. This gives the colon more time to absorb water from the waste. Which leads to the stool becoming dry, hard, and difficult to push out.

Symptoms of constipation?

Symptoms of constipation include:

  • - Reduced frequency of passing a bowel movement (two or fewer every week)
  • - Complications passing a bowel movement if the stool is hard and dry
  • - Wanting to push and strain to help with passing a bowel movement
  • - Taking a couple of minutes extended time than usual to pass a bowel movement
  • - A feeling of insufficient emptying of the bowel
  • - Abdominal pain and bloating

Why Does Constipation Occur?

Constipation most commonly occurs when waste/stool moves too slowly through the digestive tract or cannot be wiped out effectively from the rectum, which may induce the stool to become hard and dry. Many different factors can affect why you are constipated, such as:

1) Conditions that affect hormones:

  • - Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
  • - Diabetes
  • - Menstrual cycle – more bowel movement issues around ovulation (before the period comes) due to changes in hormones.
  • - Pregnancy – a hormone related as well as a baby taking all the nutrients they need as well as growing inside the uterus which squishes the intestines, slowing motility through your gut and resulting in constipation.

2) Delaying your poop

Don’t ignore the urge! Unlike the urge to urine, you can ignore the urge to the latrine. If you do, you will be out of this signal. However, by doing this the stool stays in your colon longer, meaning more water is getting pulled out and the stool is getting harder and thus tough to pass. This can lead to a build-up of stool/bloating/abdominal pain.

3) Outlet dysfunction/dyssynergia

Pelvic floor muscles that don’t coordinate properly allow for the expulsion of stool in practicing Constipation physiotherapy in Malaysia.

4) Neurological problems

This can simulate the nerves that cause muscles in the colon and rectum to contract and move stool through the intestines. Multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injury, and stroke are some examples.

5) Common lifestyle causes of constipation include:

  • - Eating foods low in fiber.
  • - Not drinking enough water (dehydration).
  • - Not getting enough exercise.
  • - Changes in your routine due to traveling, such as eating, or going to bed at different times.
  • - Eating large amounts of milk or cheese.
  • - Stress.
  • - Ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement.

6) Medications that can cause constipation include:

  • - Strong pain medicines, like narcotics containing codeine, oxycodone (Oxycontin®), and hydromorphone (Dilaudid®).
  • - Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®) and naproxen (Aleve®).
  • - Antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (like fluoxetine [Prozac®]) or tricyclic antidepressants (like amitriptyline [Elavil®]).
  • - Antacids containing calcium or aluminum, such as Tums®.
  • - Iron pills.
  • - Allergy medications, such as antihistamines (like diphenhydramine [Benadryl®]).
  • - Certain blood pressure medicines, including calcium channel blockers (like verapamil [Calan SR], diltiazem [Cardizem®], and nifedipine [Procardia®]) and beta-blockers (like atenolol [Tenormin®]).
  • - Psychiatric medications, like clozapine (Clozaril®) and olanzapine (Zyprexa®).
  • - Anticonvulsant/seizure medications, such as phenytoin and gabapentin.
  • - Antinausea medications, like ondansetron (Zofran®).

Physiotherapy on the pelvic floor

A vital technique of Constipation treatment Malaysia can teach a person how to contract the pelvic floor muscles appropriately and teach how to comfort muscles during bowel movements. Aside from just working on the floor, a pelvic floor physiotherapist can function on abdominal massage to help with the transit of stool. This technique will also help to manage abdominal pain associated with constipation and increase the regularity of bowel movements. A physiotherapist can also provide general information, suggestion, and guidance on diet alterations and positions for toileting that may prepare bowel movements easier and more comfortably.

How do pelvic floor physiotherapists treat constipation?

1) Education – enlighten people more on all the things related to constipation.

2) Performing and teaching the ILU massage

3) Fiber diaries – often a patient is asked to fill out a fiber diary to see if they are getting the appropriate amount of dietary fiber and if not, therapists help to provide information on how to safely increase this amount in their diet.

4) Assessment and treatment of the pelvic floor muscles ensure proper coordination that pelvic floor muscles are relaxing when bearing down and not contracting, treating tight pelvic floor muscles.

5) Biofeedback training balloon catheter for incontinence treatment that involves working with a therapist who uses devices to help you practice relaxing and tightening the muscles in your pelvis.

Relaxing your pelvic floor muscles at the right time during defecation can support you in passing stool more easily. During a biofeedback session, a special tube or catheter is inserted into your rectum to measure muscle tension. The therapist directs you through exercises to alternately relax and tighten your pelvic muscles as Constipation physiotherapy Malaysia. This will estimate your muscle tension and helps you understand when you’ve relaxed your muscles.

 

VL Therapy, a popular physiotherapy center in Malaysia works successfully with hundreds of patients with various difficulties and is dedicated to providing a world-class service for every individual. A team of experienced educated and professional physiotherapists is providing various modern treatment plans for plantar fasciitis to make all patients regain their health as per the need for looking not just at the immediate, but also to ensure that the relief becomes sustainable. To know more about the services please visit the official website http://www.vltherapy.com.my/.