Chronic Constipation
Cases of chronic or severe constipation result in more serious symptoms that last for a longer period of time.
Chronic constipation is typically defined as a condition in which the signs and symptoms are present for longer than 90 days and when there are at least 3 days each month where an individual is dealing with severe abdominal pain and discomfort.
Often times, severe or chronic constipation is diagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome or "IBS".
Constipation is not a condition that should be ignored, as it can lead to complications if left untreated. These complications can include hemorrhoids (caused by having to strain to pass stools during a bowel movement) and anal fissues (tears in the skin surrounding the anus due to large, hard stools. Rectal bleeding may occur in these situations and sometimes surgery is even needed to repair the damage.
Another problem that chronic constipation can cause is having the intestinal lining pushed out through the anal opening. Known as rectal prolapse, this can result in secretion of mucus from the anus.
Lastly, constipation can result in hard stools packing the intestine and rectum so tightly that the otherwise normal pushing action of the colon isn't enough to expel the stool. Known as fecal impaction, this happens mostly in children and older individuals and can be treated orally with mineral oil.
