Find out exactly what type of constipation you have! First, find out your constipation type | Rohto Pharmaceutical: Product Information Site

Intestinal Health and Constipation Seminar

First, understand your type of constipation to take the first step towards improving it.

Constipation can manifest in various ways. Broadly speaking, it can be classified into two types: "acute constipation," which occurs suddenly, and "chronic constipation," which gradually progresses and becomes chronic.

First, understand your type of constipation, and take the first step towards improving it.

Choose from four types of constipation (chronic, acute, etc.) and click on the type that applies to you!

Sudden constipation - acute constipation

Temporary constipation caused by changes in living environment, etc.

temporary constipation

Transient constipation is more likely to occur when your daily routine changes, such as when you start a diet and your eating habits change, when you go on a trip, or when your living environment changes due to going to college or starting a new job.
If you've never been constipated before but suddenly become constipated, try to think about the possible causes.

However, this type of constipation is usually not very painful, only causing bloating. It will resolve naturally once the cause is removed.
However, if not addressed promptly, it can become a chronic condition.

Possible causes

Travel, business trips, entering school, starting a new job, transfers, moving, lack of sleep, overeating, dieting, etc.

Signs of illness that cannot be ignored

Organic constipation (acute)

Acute constipation caused by an underlying medical condition is called organic constipation (acute). In acute cases, conditions such as volvulus (intestinal torsion) or intestinal obstruction should be considered.

Since it is often accompanied by severe abdominal pain and vomiting, you should see a specialist doctor immediately.

Those who recognize themselves in this description should be careful!

I'm experiencing pain and discomfort I've never felt before.
I suddenly became constipated, regardless of any changes in my lifestyle.
My stool has become extremely long and thin, or flat and thin.
In addition to stool, blood and mucus may also be present.
There is severe abdominal pain and vomiting.

Constipation on a daily basis to chronic constipation

The most common type of constipation

functional constipation

Functional constipation, caused by a decline in bowel function, is the most common type of constipation. This type of constipation is not a disease, but it causes daily discomfort such as abdominal bloating and fatigue.

Functional constipation is further divided into three types: atonic constipation, rectal constipation, and spastic constipation (irritable bowel syndrome). Let's check which type you have.

Let's check which type you are.

From the three types A to C, click on the type that applies to you the most, and then check the suggested solutions!

TYPE A

I get tired easily due to lack of exercise.
I have a feeling like I haven't completely emptied my bowels.
I feel lethargic, have stiff shoulders, headaches, and feel cold.
I diet frequently.

Functional constipation - "atonic constipation"

The entire intestine is not moving well, making it difficult to pass stool.

This type of constipation occurs because the peristaltic movement of the intestines is weak, making it difficult to pass stool smoothly.
It is often seen in the elderly, those with a weak constitution, those with weak muscles supporting the internal organs resulting in organ prolapse, and those whose abdominal muscles have relaxed due to multiple pregnancies.

Many people who are on a diet and reducing their food intake are also experiencing a lack of dietary fiber, which can lead to this type of constipation.

This type of constipation can cause a variety of symptoms, including bloating, a feeling of incomplete bowel emptying, loss of appetite, stiff shoulders, cold extremities, and fatigue.

As for countermeasures...

The key to solving this problem is to stimulate intestinal peristalsis.
Try to eat meals that are rich in dietary fiber.
Massaging your abdomen and lower back, and drinking a glass of water or milk in the morning, can also provide good stimulation to your intestines. Since visceral ptosis due to muscle weakness may also be a cause, try to strengthen your abdominal muscles.

TYPE B

I often use enemas and laxatives to relieve constipation.
The stool may be hard, and there may be pain in the anus when defecating.
I often hold back when I feel the urge to defecate.
I don't drink much water.

Functional constipation - “rectal constipation”

I don't feel like I have a bowel movement.

Ignoring the urge to defecate, whether it's holding it in during the morning or enduring the pain of hemorrhoids, can often lead to rectal constipation.

If you keep holding back from defecating, even though stool has been sent into the rectum, the nerves in the rectum will eventually become less sensitive, making it harder to feel the urge to defecate.
As a result, peristalsis in the large intestine becomes less frequent, making defecation difficult. Furthermore, stool that remains in the intestines for a long time loses more and more water, becoming hard and crusty.

If you become so desperate for constipation that you resort to using stimulant laxatives or enemas for extended periods, it can lead to a vicious cycle where your rectum becomes increasingly insensitive.

As for countermeasures...

To increase stool volume, make sure to consume plenty of fiber, and to soften it, drink plenty of water.
Since the digestive system starts working in response to food, make it a habit to eat breakfast and then go to the toilet to establish a regular bowel movement rhythm. Even if you don't go, keep at it every day. While sitting, try to relax and massage your stomach.

TYPE C

In addition to constipation, diarrhea can also occur, and the diarrhea can sometimes become chronic.
He has a serious and meticulous personality.
I sometimes experience stomach pain after eating.
When I'm constipated, I pass round, hard stools that resemble deer droppings.

Functional constipation - "spastic constipation" (irritable bowel syndrome)

Stress can cause constipation

Unlike atonic constipation, which is caused by a decrease in peristalsis itself, spastic constipation occurs when the movement of the large intestine becomes irregular.
Due to abnormal bowel movements, you may experience alternating constipation and diarrhea, or chronic diarrhea.

The main cause is mental stress. This affects the autonomic nervous system, causing spasms in a part of the intestines, making it difficult for stool to pass through, thus resulting in constipation.
The characteristics of this type of constipation include abdominal pain after meals, and even when there is an urge to defecate, only round, hard stools resembling deer droppings are passed, leaving a feeling of incomplete evacuation.

As for countermeasures...

The biggest cause of this constipation is stress. Identify the sources of stress, such as lack of sleep, overwork, interpersonal relationships at work or school, and changes in lifestyle, and make an effort to relieve stress.
Also, it's best to avoid anything that might irritate the intestines. You can also expect improvement in your symptoms by getting a prescription for medication to soothe your intestines from a doctor.
However, you can't make decisions on your own. If you have any doubts, it's best to consult a doctor.

If left untreated, it can lead to a serious illness!

Organic constipation (chronic)

Even among chronic constipation, those caused by an underlying disease are called organic constipation (chronic). Typical examples include colon cancer and colon polyps. When these develop, the intestinal tract narrows, obstructing the passage of stool and leading to constipation.
In women, uterine fibroids can sometimes cause constipation because the enlarged lesions compress the intestines.

If stubborn constipation persists despite changing your diet and improving your lifestyle, you should consult a doctor.

Those who recognize themselves in this description should be careful!

Even after improving my lifestyle, things aren't getting any better.
I often experience pain and discomfort that I've never felt before.
They often pass stools that are extremely long and thin, or flat and thin.
In addition to stool, blood and mucus are often present.
I have been experiencing severe abdominal pain and vomiting for some time now.

Whether acute or chronic, constipation can be a sign of a serious underlying illness. If your constipation persists despite lifestyle changes, you should get checked out at a hospital.