Slow movement of the colon and pelvic floor dysfunction.
Pelvic floor and constipation.
Pain medications especially narcotics antacids that contain aluminum and calcium some blood pressure medications calcium channel blockers anti parkinson drugs antispasmodics antidepressants iron supplements diuretics anticonvulsants.
Irregular meals and not enough fiber in the diet.
So when on the toilet the pelvic floor muscles are creating a serious kink on the rectum and it s very difficult to push the bowel motion out without straining pain or causing anal fissures little tears in the anus.
This condition occurs when the pelvic floor muscle which supports the vagina uterus rectum and bladder becomes weakened over time causing the pelvic floor to bulge out.
Chronic constipation can cause stretching of the pudendal nerve due to prolonged and repetitive straining leading to pelvic floor weakness secondary to nerve damage.
One of the most common versions of this issue is called a rectocele which occurs when there is a kind of hernia bulge in the colon.
Weak pelvic floor muscles may also lead to prolapse of one or more of the pelvic floor organs.
As a pelvic floor physical therapist the first thing i offer my patients is education.
Once patients with pelvic floor constipation have these basic tools they can begin retraining the pelvic floor muscles with biofeedback.
In constipation the pelvic floor muscles are tight and overactive and do not know how to relax.
Constipation has many causes so we need to address diet and fluid intake activity level and other habits.
When constipation is a problem there are two main reasons for it.
Pelvic floor dysfunction is the inability to correctly relax and coordinate your pelvic floor muscles to have a bowel movement.
Symptoms include constipation straining to defecate having urine or stool leakage and experiencing a frequent need to pee.
Common causes of constipation are.
Chronic constipation is frequently a cause of damage to the pelvic floor muscles and fascial support ligaments.
Large babies and forceps use can increase the damage.
Based on the principle of operant conditioning biofeedback provides auditory and visual feedback to help retrain the pelvic floor and relax the anal sphincter.
Treatment for slowed movement of the colon is usually laxatives and drugs to move your colon.
Chronic constipation can weaken the pelvic floor muscles in men and women.
For women childbirth is the most common cause of damage due to the strain and stretching that is involved.
Biofeedback training is the treatment of choice.
Lack of physical activity especially in the elderly medications e g.
Straining with constipation can cause pelvic floor problems including pelvic organ prolapse incontinence pelvic pain and pelvic floor weakness.
