What Is Straining Over a Bowel Movement?
Straining over a bowel movement is a symptom of constipation, according to WebMD. Straining during bowel movements is often accompanied with bloody stools, a lessened amount of bowel movements, hard stools that pass with difficulty, wet stool leakage between bowel movements and stomach pains that a bowel movement relieves.
Increasing fiber intake, regular exercise, taking time in the bathroom instead of rushing and using a laxative remedies occasional constipation, notes Mayo Clinic. Chronic constipation is remedied by consulting a medical professional for a prescription medicine, biofeedback and surgery.
Gradually increase the amount of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and cereals into the diet to accelerate the passage of stools in the intestines as a sudden increase in foods high in fiber causes bloating and gas, explains Mayo Clinic. An increase in physical activity causes more activity in the intestines to decrease straining during a bowel movement. Laxatives in the form of fiber supplements, osmotic, stool softeners, stimulants and lubricants reduce straining during bowel movements, and prescription medicines that increase the flow of water into the intestines reduce straining in bowel movements if over-the-counter laxatives are not effective. Surgery treats chronic constipation caused by stricture, rectocele or anal issues, and removal of a part of the colon is used as a last resort for constipation treatment.
