Our fast access - Monday-Friday: 8.30-16.30
Product of the month: Microbiome test
Our fast access - Monday-Friday: 8.30-16.30
Product of the month: Microbiome test
Quick answer: If hard stools do not come out, the first step is to drink plenty of fluids and increase dietary fibre. If the problem is persistent, with pain or bloody stools, a specialist examination is warranted. The expert doctors at Endomedix will use painless endoscopic examinations under general anaesthesia to identify the exact cause of your symptoms.
When hard stools do not come out, it can significantly reduce quality of life and cause severe physical pain. It is a problem that affects many people, especially the elderly, yet few dare to talk about it openly. Proper bowel function is essential for overall health. If faecal matter becomes too dense, it becomes difficult, and in many cases impossible, to empty. In this article we go into the underlying causes and possible complications. We also describe ways to relieve the symptoms and explain when it is essential to seek professional medical help.
The onset of constipation can rarely be attributed to a single cause. Most often, a combination of factors results in the unpleasant condition where hard stools do not come out. The intestinal tract is a complex machine whose functioning is influenced by nutrition, fluid balance and internal organ processes.
The most common cause is an inadequate diet. A low-fibre diet reduces the bulk of the stool, slowing down bowel movements (peristalsis). In the absence of fibre, faecal matter cannot absorb enough water. This causes the stool to become dry and hard. Dehydration is also a common problem. When the body does not get enough water, the colon draws fluid from the stool to maintain internal balance. A sedentary lifestyle makes matters worse. In the absence of regular physical activity, the muscles of the digestive tract also become stiffer, which delays the passage of faeces.
Many medicines you use every day can cause constipation. Strong painkillers (such as opioids) directly slow down bowel movements. Certain antihypertensives, antidepressants and medicines that inhibit acid production also have similar side effects. Taking iron substitute tablets almost always results in dark coloured and extremely dry stools. It is always worth reading the leaflet or checking with your doctor if you have digestive problems after taking a new medicine.
Often, there can be more serious health problems in the background. In the constipated type of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), patients often report berry-like, dry stools. From Uptodate international medical database guidelines chronic constipation may be caused by anatomical changes such as polyps, intestinal torsion or cancer. These can form a physical barrier in the colon. In such cases, hard stools cannot pass unobstructed, which can lead to partial or complete blockage of the intestinal tract.
The complaints are not limited to infrequent bowel movements. Patients also experience a range of other symptoms, often extremely painful. Recognition and accurate description can help the doctor to make the right diagnosis.
Medicine uses the Bristol stool scale to determine the consistency of stools. This system classifies faeces into seven categories. Type 1 refers to discrete, hard berries that are very difficult to evacuate. Type 2 is cylindrical in shape, but has a lumpy and curled surface. If your stools regularly fall into these two categories, it is a clear sign of chronic constipation. At this stage, the faecal matter has spent too much time in the colon.
Due to straining and straining of the intestinal wall, people often experience abdominal cramping and bloating. Accumulated gas cannot escape due to the physical obstruction. Many people also report a feeling that they cannot feel the bowels emptying completely after defecation. This constant feeling of pressure leads to loss of appetite and general malaise.
Prolonged exertion can cause serious physical injuries. Hard faeces can tear the sensitive mucous membrane of the anus, leading to a rectal fissure (fissura ani). This tear is accompanied by sharp, sharp, stabbing pain that can persist for hours after defecation. The pain causes the patient to dread the next bowel movement, so they prefer to withhold it, creating a vicious circle. The development of haemorrhoids is also a common complication. The increased abdominal distension causes the veins in the rectum to dilate and become inflamed, causing alarm with fresh red bleeding.
In milder cases, the problem can often be remedied by changing everyday habits. Opt for dietary changes if the symptoms have only recently started and there are no painful accompanying symptoms.
Increase your daily fibre intake gradually. Soluble fibre (found in oats, apples and beans, for example) forms a gel-like substance in the intestines, softening the stools. Insoluble fibres (such as wheat bran) increase the bulk of the stool, but it is important to introduce them slowly to avoid bloating. However, fibre is only beneficial when combined with sufficient fluid. Drink at least two to three litres of clean water a day to avoid dehydration of the waste matter.
If diet does not bring quick relief, stool softeners available from pharmacies can help temporarily. Osmotic laxatives, such as polyethylene glycol (PEG), draw water into the bowel, helping you to defecate safely and gently. Avoid prolonged use of stimulant laxatives. These agents irritate the intestinal wall and can cause habituation, so that in the long term the natural movement of the bowel may stop completely without them.
Home remedies are not always the answer. If the hard stools do not come out for weeks or are accompanied by worrying symptoms, immediate medical intervention is needed.
Be sure to consult a specialist gastroenterologist if you experience so-called alarming symptoms. Such a warning sign is the appearance of blood in the stool, whether it is bright red or dark, coagulated. Unreasonable weight loss, severe abdominal pain, even at night, or the development of iron deficiency anaemia also require immediate investigation. Abrupt changes in bowel movements over the age of 45 years alone warrant screening for colorectal cancer.
At Endomedix, experienced gastroenterologists are waiting for patients with digestive complaints. During the consultation, the doctor will review your symptoms, past medical conditions and previous treatments in detail. Our experts have a high level of expertise in even the most complex digestive problems. Our aim is to get to the root of your problems, not just treat the symptoms. Make an appointment with us and take the first step towards a cure consultation with a specialist in gastroenterology framework.
To make an accurate diagnosis, it is often necessary to look inside the digestive tract. Modern technology now makes these procedures completely painless and safe. Endomedix pays particular attention to patient comfort.
Colonoscopy (colonoscopy of the large intestine) is the most reliable method for detecting diseases of the large intestine, such as polyps or inflammation. The test involves inserting a thin, flexible optical instrument into the intestinal tract. Many people fear the discomfort of the procedure, but there is no need to worry. It's important to stress that for professional reasons, at Endomedix we only perform anaesthesia, not sedation. Anesthesia is supervised by an experienced anesthesiologist. The fast-acting propofol provides a deep sleep so that the patient does not feel anything from the procedure, and the complete muscle relaxation makes the doctor's job easier. And the special carbon dioxide gas used during the test prevents subsequent bloating. For more information and to book an appointment, visit the COLONOSCOPY UNDER ANAESTHESIA on our site.
In some cases, the source of the problem can be found in the upper part of the feed pipe. Gastroscopy is necessary to diagnose absorption disorders (such as coeliac disease). If both tests are warranted in your case, Endomedix can perform them together. Both the upper and lower alimentary canals are examined in a single preparation under a single anaesthetic. This is a huge relief for patients. For details, see GASTRIC AND COLONOSCOPY UNDER ANAESTHESIA you will find on. And if only the top section is affected, you can use the GASTROSCOPY UNDER ANAESTHESIA could be the solution.
When is it abnormal if hard stools do not come out?
In healthy bowel function, between three and three bowel movements a week is considered normal. If the number of bowel movements falls below three per week, the stools are very dry and the process is accompanied by pain and straining, this is a sign of chronic constipation.
How painful is a colonoscopy?
With Endomedix, the test is completely painless. For professional reasons, we only use deep anaesthesia, so you wake up after a restful sleep. You will not feel any pain or discomfort during the examination or during the removal of any polyps.
What foods should you avoid if you are constipated?
Avoid overly processed foods, white flour baked goods and large amounts of red meat. Refined sugars and fast food also slow digestion. Choose whole-food, fibre-rich ingredients for your daily meals instead.
Restoring gut health requires attention and expert guidance. Don't put up with the daily pain and don't put off an examination out of fear. The experienced team at Endomedix offers modern, non-invasive technology, an empathetic approach and pain-free procedures. Book an appointment with our specialists and take the first step towards easy, complaint-free digestion!
Budapest, debrecen, dombóvári, Miskolc, Sofia, szolnoki and Veszprém you can check in at our centre on working days, Monday to Friday between 09:00-17:00 at (1) 413-2500 by phone or online - some tests can be booked by appointment! A Győr, Gyula and the GranMed in Esztergom you can register by calling our local colleagues at our centre. Too complicated? See phone book or request a callback!
