You’ve increased fiber, drank more, taken the time to go to the bathroom… and yet, constipation returns. But when should you stop piling on tips and seek medical advice? Dr Gérald Kierzek answers you.
His advice is simple: fibers can help, but they should not mask a lasting change in transit or a warning sign. It is therefore not just a matter of counting stools: we must also look at what has changed, what is bothersome, and what accompanies constipation.
Is it serious if I don’t have a bowel movement every day?
Not necessarily. This is even the first point to play down. According to Health Insurance, the normal frequency of bowel movements varies greatly from one person to another: from three bowel movements per day to three bowel movements per week. Going to the bathroom every morning is therefore not a biological obligation.
What matters is your usual pace. Constipation can be recognized by a decrease in the frequency of stools, but also by hard stools, difficult to pass, or by a feeling of discomfort. You may therefore be embarrassed even if you are not strictly below the threshold of three bowel movements per week.
Before worrying, the usual measures have their place: drink enough, move around, maintain quiet time in the toilet, gradually increase fiber intake if this is well tolerated. For dietary guidelines, you can consult our article on useful foods for regular transit. But if these measures are not enough, you should not stick to self-management.
When should you make an appointment in the coming days?
Dr. Gérald Kierzek recommends consulting when constipation persists despite the usual health and diet measures. Health insurance goes in the same direction: a medical appointment is recommended in the coming days if the disorder does not subside, or if it is accompanied by certain signs.
This is the case if constipation appears recently and markedly after the age of 50, if you notice blood in the stools, if you lose weight without explanation, or if you have abdominal pain that does not go away. These signs do not necessarily mean that there is a serious illness, but they warrant medical advice rather than multiplying homemade recipes.
You also need to be attentive to the context. Constipation that sets in after a change in treatment, a period of immobilization, bed rest, hospitalization or a significant lifestyle change deserves to be reported. The doctor’s goal will be to understand why the transit has changed, not just to prescribe something to speed up the bowel movements.
In the event of constipation with fever and severe abdominal pain, Health Insurance recommends seeking advice within the day. Here again, the good reflex is not to wait for the situation to get worse.
What if a medication slows down transit?
This is a cause to be sought. Certain treatments can promote or worsen constipation. The doctor will therefore check the medications you are taking: certain painkillers, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, diuretics or medications used for stomach aciddepending on the situation.
The important point is this: do not stop a medication yourself under the pretext that it could slow down transit. The doctor will be able to assess the benefit of the treatment, propose an adjustment if necessary, or add a suitable solution. Depending on the case, this may involve targeted advice, one-off treatment or more specific support. To find out more, True Medical also details treatments for constipation.
Finally, there is a situation that should not be left waiting:
constipation with vomiting, abdominal pain and inability to pass gas. This association may suggest intestinal obstruction. In this case, Health Insurance recommends calling 15 or 112 without delay.
The message echoes that of Dr Gérald Kierzek: fibers and good reflexes can be useful, but they must not make us forget the essentials. We don’t just treat a number of stools: we look for why the transit has changedespecially when the disorder lasts, worsens or is accompanied by an unusual sign.