Constipation can decrease a person's quality of life significantly. In fact, its impact on quality of life is comparable to patients suffering from asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. 

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And, it's treatable

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What is constipation?

It can mean a lot of things to different people. But there is a medical definition of constipation:

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• 25% of bowel movements are associated with at least two of the following symptoms in the previous three months with an onset of symptoms longer than six months: 

  • ​straining

  • hard or lumpy stools

  • a sense of incomplete evacuation 

  • a sense of anorectal obstruction 

  • the need for manual maneuvers

  • fewer than three bowel movements per week 

• In addition, these people should also rarely complain of loose stool without the use of a laxative 

 

Causes of constipation

• SIBO/IMO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth/ intestinal methanogen overgrowth)

• IBS

• Diabetes

• Neurological issues

• Hypothyroidism 

• Motility disorders

• Pelvic floor issues

• Obstruction

• More

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Testing

We ensure that our patients go through comprehensive testing to rule out any other causes of gastrointestinal symptoms.

 

Tests may include: ​

• Lactulose breath test for small intestinal methanogen overgrowth

• Blood work to look at inflammatory markers, thyroid levels and more

• Imaging studies

• Motility studies

• More