About 4 million people in the United States struggle with ongoing constipation, which describes an often-painful difficulty to pass stool on a regular basis. Constipation is chronic in up to 20% of American adults, which can lead to medical concerns when left unaddressed.
See Leslie F. Seecoomar, MD, at his private practice in Manhattan’s Upper West Side in New York City if you have signs of severe or ongoing constipation.
Recognizable signs of constipation include:
It might seem like you haven’t emptied your bowels completely after having a bowel movement because of constipation.
When left untreated, constipation can lead to painful — sometimes dangerous — complications, such as:
Knowing when to seek help for constipation is vital to help prevent these or similar complications, as well as the discomfort constipation often causes.
It’s a good idea to see Dr. Seecoomar about constipation if you experience the following:
Many people become constipated from time to time due to lack of fiber in their diets or other risk factors. But if your symptoms last longer than three weeks, it’s time to check in with a gastroenterologist.
Chronic (ongoing) constipation could indicate an underlying health problem, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), hormonal disorders, colorectal cancer, structural digestive tract defects, and similar medical concerns.
If you develop uncomfortable or ongoing abdominal or anal pain linked to constipation that makes it difficult to complete everyday activities, see Dr. Seecoomar for an evaluation. He determines the underlying cause of your symptoms to tame your discomfort and ward off complications.
Pain with bowel movements could indicate fecal impaction, hemorrhoids, IBS, or other gastrointestinal (GI) disorders.
Are you losing weight without trying in addition to being constipated? If so, a gastrointestinal problem may be to blame. See Dr. Seecoomar to detect or rule out complications or underlying causes of unintentional weight loss, such as colorectal cancer and celiac disease.
Bleeding from your rectum (blood on your toilet paper or in the toilet) along with constipation could be a sign of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), hemorrhoids, diverticulitis, anal fissures, colorectal cancer, or similar conditions It’s not something to take lightly. Dr. Seecoomar completes an exam and diagnostic tests to determine the cause of rectal bleeding.
If you notice blood in your stool, or the appearance of black- or dark-colored stool, a deeper issue beyond simple constipation — such as colorectal cancer or a problem with your upper digestive tract — could be the reason.
See Dr. Seecoomar at the first sign of bloody stool to diagnose its root cause and determine the most effective treatment.
If you experience stool changes; vomiting; nausea; gas and bloating; or other unusual symptoms in addition to constipation, it’s vital to get checked out by a gastroenterologist. Dr. Seecoomar helps reduce bothersome symptoms and screens for potentially serious GI tract problems.
Are you tired of straining or having pain or bleeding with bowel movements? Call us today at Leslie F. Seecoomar, MD, PC, at 212-217-9961 or request an appointment online.
