Having a bowel movement: how often and when to worry? Gastroenterologists respond: Femme Actuelle Le MAG

In France, 15 to 35% of adults experience occasional or chronic constipation, according to Vidal. Constipation is defined by a decrease in the frequency of stools associated with difficulty in passing them. Although it is really unpleasant on a daily basis, constipation is often harmless. But sometimes you have to know how to take it seriously. Recently interviewed in Yahoo Life, two gastroenterologists explained how to recognize a stool disorder and when to worry.

Stooling: what is the normal frequency?

There normal frequency of stools varies from one individual to another, between three times a day and three times a week according to the Health Insurance website. Figures confirmed by Ali Khan, gastroenterologist interviewed by Yahoo Life : “Between three bowel movements per day and three bowel movements per week is normal.”. However, Andrew Boxer, another gastroenterologist interviewed by the online media, is more precise on the frequency of normal stools. He notes that “On average, most people have a bowel movement about once a day“. We can therefore speak of constipation when the frequency of stools is less than three times per week according to Vidal.fr, especially if this state is accompanied by pain.

Constipation: when should you worry?

According to experts, if everyone follows their own pace when going to the toilet, it is important to monitor the appearance of symptoms of constipation in case of unusual period without having a bowel movement. They cite in particular abdominal pain, bloating, even nausea and vomiting. “If a patient has difficulty having a bowel movement, if they become tired, if they are bloated, if they have painful constipation, if they feel an urgency when they need to have a bowel movement, if he is not in the habit of having a bowel movement or if there is anything else that concerns him, I am concerned about it as a doctor“, explains Andrew Boxer. “I also worry when a patient presents with warning signs or symptoms such as blood in the stool, weight loss, anemia, etc.”, he adds.

For gastroenterologists, beyond pain, it is important to know how to spot disturbances in bowel habits, which can sometimes be indicators of abnormal health conditions. “It is important to seek medical attention if bowel habits change, especially later in life – for example, new constipation after age 50“, explains Ali Khan. He adds that not going to the toilet or not having gas after surgery is also an indicator that warrants a visit to the doctor.

Stool problems: what are the health consequences?

If most of the time acute stool disturbances are without consequences on health, gastroenterologists warn about the risk of pain that accompanies a severe or prolonged state of constipation. Ali Khan cites in particular the risks of anal fissures (i.e. tears in the anus), or even hemorrhoids, which are dilated veins in the rectum or anus and which can cause discomfort, itching and even bleeding. More rarely, chronic constipation can cause impaction (a pasty ball of stool in the rectum) or fecal impaction (a mass of hard, dehydrated stool in the rectum).

Stool disturbance: what could be the reasons?

To avoid suffering from constipation, experts explain the possible causes of stool problems, to learn how to avoid them. According to them, the main causes of constipation are a poor diet with a lack of fiber, dehydration, stress, lack of physical activity, certain medications, irritable bowel syndromeholding back, or even changes in the daily routine. This is why, in the event of constipation, the Vidal website advises enriching your diet with fiber with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, or even prunes, and drinking at least one to two liters of liquid per day. day and do physical exercise.

Sources

Ameli.fr – Constipation in adults: definition, symptoms, contributing factors

Vidal.fr – Constipation in adults