Constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal diseases, and it has affected almost 15% of the population in the United States.
It can happen at any age, from newborns to older people and is more common in females than males. Adults over 65 and above also go through constipation more often as compared to younger people.
In this blog, we will explore some options, like visiting an urgent care for constipation. Can urgent help manage it, and what treatments are available at urgent care?
Stay tuned! All your questions about constipation will be answered within a few minutes.
Common Symptoms of Constipation You Need To Know
If you’re unable to pass stool for more than three days, the content in the intestine may harden and you may face difficulty in passing stool. Here are some red flag signals that hint towards constipation:
- Hard, dry, and lumpy stool
- Difficult and painful bowel movement
- Abdominal pain
- Feeling bloated and uncomfortable
- Feeling tired
If you or your loved one has been suffering from any of these symptoms for more than three days, you need to contact a nearby healthcare provider for proper treatment.
Can Urgent Care Help in Relieving Constipation?
Yes, you can get help for constipation from a nearby urgent care clinic. They have a wide range of treatment options, so if constipation is your persistent problem, they will provide you with the necessary medicines to relieve you from constipation.
Urgent care centers have flexible timings and days, and they are even open beyond office hours, so you can visit at the time that suits you best.
Once you check-in, the average waiting time would be 15 to 30 minutes or even less than that, depending on the patient influx.
The urgent care providers ensure prompt treatment and complete guidance for relieving your symptoms at home. The doctors will also prescribe the necessary medications if necessary.
With all these facilities, urgent care is a great option for addressing constipation, especially when you need quick relief and prompt medical attention.
Common Causes of Constipation
When the stool remains in the colon (large intestine) for a long time, the water is absorbed, causing the stool to become hard and dry. Now this can be due to a variety of reasons or underlying factors.
The most common causes of constipation are
- Lack of exercise
- Less water intake
- Less intake of fiber, such as fruits and vegetables
- Ignoring the urge to pass stool
- Some diseases, such as irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes, hypothyroidism
- Side effects from some medications
- Hirshsprung disease in children
Elderly people often suffer from constipation due to a lack of mobility and changes in dietary habits, whereas in children, poor diet and fear of passing stool can cause constipation.
What To Expect At Urgent Care?
Once you check into an urgent care clinic, here’s what you can expect from your healthcare providers:
- Urgent care providers evaluate your symptoms, take your medical history and ask about your medications.
- You may be advised to make lifestyle modifications such as dietary changes, exercise and stress management.
- After an examination, the doctor may prescribe you medications to relieve your symptoms.
- You will also be advised to take over-the-counter medicines, such as oral laxatives, to soften your stool.
- The doctor may also evaluate your health status to identify the cause of constipation.
- If your symptoms do not improve at home, you can even contact some urgent care clinics via telehealth and connect with the doctor online.
- If necessary, the provider may also refer you to another specialist for further evaluation.
When To Go To Urgent Care for Constipation?
You need to contact an urgent care clinic if you or your loved one are suffering from any of these symptoms:
- Not able to pass stool for three days.
- Blood in the stool
- Severe or persistent abdominal pain
- Difficulty passing stool for more than three weeks
- Despite increasing fiber intake or water intake, the symptoms last for more than three weeks.
- You have taken over-the-counter medicines or tried remedies, but nothing seems to work.
- You feel weak and tired most of the time.
If you are suffering from any of these symptoms, you can also contact urgent care providers at Family Urgent Care if you live near Indiana or Illinois.
How Can You Relieve Constipation At Home?
You can also relieve the symptoms of constipation at home with self-care. Here are some steps you can take at home to increase your bowel movements.
- If you normally drink eight glasses of water in a day, increase your water intake to four extra glasses.
- Avoid caffeinated drinks or alcohol, which can further exacerbate the symptoms of constipation by causing dehydration.
- Add fruits, vegetables and high-fibre foods such as spinach, avocado and oats to your daily eating routine.
- Make sure that you increase your physical activity like exercising, walking or participating in outdoor activities.
- Also, check your position on the toilet. Raise your feet and knees higher than your hips and lean back to improve bowel movement.
- Add over-the-counter medicine (if necessary) like stimulant laxatives or stool softeners by taking advice from a pharmacist or your healthcare provider.
3 Foods That Can Help Relieve Constipation
If you are experiencing constipation, what you eat can make a difference. Here are some foods that can relieve constipation and help in digestion.
1. Oatmeal
Oats are filled with soluble fiber, a type of fiber that helps more water remain in the stool, making the stools softer and easier to pass. It is an easily digestible food that can help you maintain a balanced diet and facilitate bowel movement.
2. High Fiber Fruits
High-fiber fruits play an important role in relieving constipation and helping with digestion. Certain fruits, including apples, grapes, raspberries, and prunes, ease constipation. These fruits also provide support in hydration and keep the stool soft so it can be passed easily.
3. Beans
Beans contain both soluble and insoluble fiber, which helps pass stool through the intestine. They also help in regular bowel movements, support gut health, and digest slowly, ensuring that food moves through the intestine at a stable pace.
How Much Walking is Good for Constipation?
Regular walking for 10 to 15 minutes several times a day can help your body and digestive system return to normal.
Once you increase your physical activity, the blood flows toward your muscles and stimulates the muscles in your intestine, encouraging bowel movement.
Not to mention, going for a walk after lunch and dinner can also be beneficial, as it helps in smoother digestion processes and prevents constipation.
Get Quick Relief from Constipation at Family Urgent Care
You have tried all the remedies and even changed your daily diet, but the symptoms are not improving! Take a deep breath. We’ve got your back!
Our experienced healthcare providers at Family Urgent Care are trained to diagnose the root cause of constipation and provide personalized treatment.
From dietary recommendations to effective medicines, our dedicated team is here to provide you with the best relief and care you need to feel your best.
If you are unable to leave your home due to your medical condition, then you can also book our telehealth appointment and get our medical services from the comfort of your home.
If you are unable to leave your home due to your medical condition, then you can also book our telehealth appointment and get our medical services from the comfort of your home.
So, take control of your digestive health, book your appointment with Family Urgent Care, and get quick relief. And, don’t wait to contact our clinic if you have any queries about constipation.