When to Worry About Constipation

You’re probably experiencing constipation if you’re having bowel movements less than usual. Sometimes, constipation resolves within a day or two, but other times, it can become a chronic problem.

In some situations, constipation specialist Thomas Nguyen, MD, from Nguyen Medical Group in Boynton Beach, Florida, suggests getting medical attention to relieve uncomfortable constipation symptoms and ensure there are no more serious underlying problems causing it. Understand when you need to be concerned about your constipation.

What’s considered constipation?

You’re usually considered to have constipation if you pass three or fewer bowel movements in a week. You might also be constipated if you recently started having a bowel movement less often than your usual pattern.

Other constipation indicators include straining or experiencing pain during bowel movements, abdominal pain, and hard or dry stools. Constipation has many causes and can resolve quickly or become a chronic issue.

When to be concerned about your constipation

If your constipation is a minor, temporary problem, you might not need help, but there are other times to seek medical advice. You should contact our team about your constipation if:

Your constipation has continued for a couple of weeks

If you experience constipation for a few weeks or longer, it’s a sign that it’s becoming a chronic problem. Our team can determine the cause of your constipation and find solutions to relieve it.

You’ve gone several days without a bowel movement

Not having any bowel movements for a week or more can lead to potentially dangerous complications if the condition isn’t treated. In addition, it can leave you feeling uncomfortable. 

If you come in right away, our team can help you have a bowel movement again and prevent the situation from becoming an emergency.

You’ve stopped passing gas

Not breaking wind at all can mean you have a bowel obstruction that needs to be unblocked. Obstructions must be unblocked quickly to prevent an emergency from developing.

You have bad abdominal pain

Minor abdominal pain is a typical symptom of constipation, but if your pain is severe, that can be a sign of something more serious. Contact us if you have stomach pain bad enough that it’s impossible to go about your daily life.

You have blood in your stool

If your stool is bloody when you manage to have a bowel movement, you must be checked out as soon as possible. Blood in the stool can be a sign of potentially life-threatening conditions, including colorectal cancer.

You have other symptoms of illness

When accompanied by constipation, symptoms like fever and vomiting can indicate conditions such as infection and intestinal blockage. To recover, you might need antibiotics or another medical procedure.

Treating constipation

The underlying cause of your constipation directs the treatment our team uses. Often, straightforward changes to your diet, medication, and other lifestyle changes are all you need to fix constipation.

We treat any conditions that are causing or contributing to constipation. Early diagnosis and treatment help with a successful outcome and get you back into your usual routine as quickly as possible.

Constipation can get in the way of your lifestyle, but prompt treatment can completely resolve the issue for many. Contact us if you’re struggling with constipation or any other bowel issues.