Crohn's Disease Manifestation: Signs, Root Causes, and Remedies
Struggling with Crohn's disease related constipation? Find out how this inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) could lead to constipation and explore 7 effective strategies to alleviate it. From dietary adjustments to medical treatments, discover how to improve your gut health.
While diarrhea may be more common, Crohn's disease can also cause constipation. Here's the lowdown on this often overlooked issue.
Can Crohn's cause constipation?
Absolutely! Crohn's can make passing stool rather tricky for a variety of reasons. This can include:
- Low Fiber Diets: People with Crohn's often opt for low fiber diets to reduce flare-ups. However, fiber helps keep your digestive schedule regular and makes going easier.
- Insufficient Fluids: Crohn's can increase the risk of dehydration, leading to increased chances of constipation.
- Ignoring Urges: When you gotta go, you gotta go. But when going becomes a frequent issue, some people with Crohn's may start to ignore the urge, leading to a buildup that can become a blockage over time.
- Medications: Common drug-based treatments for Crohn's can include antidiarrheals, pain relievers, antidepressants, and anti-inflammatories. Some of these drugs can cause constipation as a side effect.
- Strictures: Long-term inflammation and scarring from Crohn's can lead to strictures, or scar tissue that narrows sections of the intestine.
Managing Crohn's disease constipation
Ready to get your bowels back on track? Check out these 7 strategies to manage Crohn's disease constipation.
1. Increase Fiber Intake
Adding more high fiber foods to your diet is the easiest fix for constipation. This isn't always simple with Crohn's, as many high fiber foods can trigger symptoms.
Your healthcare provider might suggest you increase your fiber intake gradually. Be sure to avoid high fiber foods that contain other triggering ingredients.
2. Stay Hydrated
Adequate hydration is important for overall health, but especially for those with IBD. Losing fluid through diarrhea is a common complication of Crohn's disease. If you experience a diarrhea episode, your stools may become dry, making subsequent bowel movements a challenge.
Staying hydrated by drinking water at regular intervals throughout the day can help relieve constipation.
3. Exercise
While exercise can be a challenge for those with Crohn's, research shows that low physical activity levels can increase constipation risk. On the flip side, research indicates that exercise can promote bowel movements. Finding ways to be more active may help alleviate your symptoms.
4. Bowel Training
Bowel training, or pelvic floor exercises, can be especially helpful for those living with Crohn's and other IBD conditions. These exercises strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and promote regular bowel movements, aiding in preventing leakages. Your healthcare provider can provide specific guidance on bowel training.
5. Biofeedback Therapy
Chronic Crohn's constipation may benefit from biofeedback therapy, particularly if the issue stems from pelvic floor problems. Studies show that biofeedback therapy can help people with chronic constipation regain normal bowel function.
During biofeedback therapy, a medical professional guides you through simulating a bowel movement, incorporating breathing exercises and muscle training.
6. Adjust Medications
Before changing your medications, consult your healthcare provider. Some medications for Crohn's can cause constipation as a side effect. Adjusting your dosage or switching to a different medication might alleviate the issue.
7. Laxatives
Laxatives come in various forms. Some laxatives may be suitable for those with Crohn's, although it's essential to consult your healthcare provider before starting any new medication.
Some types of laxatives and how they work include:
- Bulk-forming agents: These absorb water and bulk up the stool, which makes it easier for the body to pass. Avoid bulk-forming agents if you have a bowel obstruction or stricture.
- Osmotic agents: These keep fluid in the stool, making it slippery and easier to pass. Examples include Miralax, Sorbitol, and Milk of Magnesia. Use these with caution as excessive use can cause diarrhea and dehydration.
- Stool softeners: Stool softeners work similarly to osmotic agents. They increase stool moisture content, making it easier to pass. Examples include Colace and Surfak. Keep in mind that stool softeners can take a few days to work, so don't increase your laxative intake if you don't see immediate results.
- Bowel stimulants: These stimulate the bowel to encourage a bowel movement. Examples include Senokot and Bisacodyl (Dulcolax). Always consult your healthcare provider before taking bowel stimulants, and avoid them if you experience abdominal pain or have sensitive bowels.
Symptoms of Crohn's constipation
Crohn's disease can disrupt normal bowel movements. Although constipation is a possibility in Crohn's patients, other bowel abnormalities are more common. These may include:
- Diarrhea: According to a 2018 study, diarrhea is seen in almost 80 percent of IBD cases. You may also feel the need to go frequently.
- Frequent pooping: Studies show that Crohn's disease can increase bowel movement frequency to the point that it affects quality of life.
- Gas and Bloating: Those with Crohn's may have trouble holding in gas or experience painful, bloated sensations in the abdomen.
When to seek medical advice
Occasional constipation is usually nothing to worry about. However, if your constipation is sudden, severe, and accompanied by other abnormal symptoms, consult a healthcare provider. These symptoms may include:
- Fever
- Bloody stool
- Inability to pass gas
- Severe bloating lasting several days
- Abdominal pain before, during, or after pooping
- Constipation that won't resolve despite your best efforts
- Symptoms of bowel obstruction, such as nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain.
tl;dr
Crohn's disease can lead to constipation as a result of various factors. Managing constipation involves a combination of lifestyle adjustments and medical interventions. If constipation is severe, consult your healthcare provider for personalized advice tailored to your needs.
- Besides diarrhea, Crohn's disease can also cause constipation due to several factors, such as low fiber diets, insufficient fluids, ignored urges, medications, strictures, or gas bloating.
- To alleviate Crohn's disease constipation, ready strategies include increasing fiber intake, staying hydrated, exercising, bowel training, utilizing biofeedback therapy, adjusting medications, and using laxatives like bulk-forming agents, osmotic agents, stool softeners, or bowel stimulants.
- If one experiences symptoms of severe constipation, particularly when accompanied by fever, bloody stool, inability to pass gas, severe bloating, abdominal pain before, during, or after pooping, constipation that won't resolve, or symptoms of bowel obstruction such as nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain, it is crucial to consult a healthcare provider for personalized advice.
