Medical Director
Senior Consultant, General & Colorectal Surgeon
MBBS (Singapore), MRCS (Edinburgh), MMed (Surgery), FRCS (Edinburgh)
What is Constipation?
Constipation occurs when one has infrequent or uncomfortable bowel movements (i.e. straining for a long time). It is a very common condition affecting people of all ages.
"Normal" frequencies of bowel movements can range between 3x a week to 3x a day, depending on the individual, as long as it is relatively consistent and comfortable.
It’s important to note that constipation is a symptom, not a disease in itself. Get assessed by a colorectal doctor should you require a more in-depth evaluation and treatment.
What are the symptoms of Constipation?
- You haven’t had a bowel movement at least 3x in the past week
- Your stools are hard, large and dry, or lumpy
- You are usually straining in pain for a long time while having a bowel movement
- You may experience a stomach ache, bloating or nausea
With effective and constipation treatments, it is possible to live comfortably again.
Contact our clinic for personalised assessment and treatment options today.
Common Causes of Constipation?
- Not eating enough fibre in one’s diet; eating too much fatty meats and sugary treats.
- Not drinking enough water; as water is needed to aid in digestion and moving waste along.
- Lack of exercise or prolonged inactivity (such as after surgery, or disability).
- Frequently holding one’s bowels when the urge is present. This causes more water to be extracted from the stools, and eventually causes the body to become desensitised to normal signals to have a bowel movement.
- Medical issues that cause constipation or affect the muscles and nerves controlling bowel movements. This includes multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, intestinal obstruction, piles, rectal tumours, and so on.
- Some medications may have constipation as a side effect; such as certain antidepressants, antacids and narcotics.
- Older age can make constipation more likely, due to reduced intestinal muscle contractions.
Why should I get Constipation Treated?
Not only will doing so make your quality of life much better, it can also prevent certain complications from arising.
Possible complications arising from chronic constipation includes: piles (haemorrhoids), anal fissures, rectal prolapse, or even faecal impaction - all of which may require surgery to treat.
When should I see a Doctor?
If you have done all you can to alleviate your constipation (e.g. staying active, well-hydrated, eating a high-fibre diet), definitely get checked out by a colorectal doctor to determine if there is an underlying cause which can be treated as soon as possible.
Nobody should suffer in silence from constipation, which is a very treatable condition if managed correctly. Treatment is usually conservative in nature, comprising a combination of lifestyle and dietary changes, medications and therapies. Surgery is rarely needed in the majority of cases. Should there be underlying medical conditions present, those will be treated accordingly as well.
Our Constipation Treatment Doctor
Dr Chew Min Hoe
Medical Director
Senior Consultant, General & Colorectal Surgeon
MBBS (Singapore), MRCS (Edinburgh), MMed (Surgery), FRCS (Edinburgh)
Dr Chew Min Hoe is a colorectal surgeon with over 20 years of experience in both public healthcare and private practice. His expertise covers the management of common colorectal conditions, including the diagnosis and treatment of constipation.
A leader in his field, Dr Chew served as the President of the Society of Colorectal Surgeons, Singapore, and was the founding Head of the Department of Surgery at Sengkang General Hospital (SKH). Beyond patient care, Dr Chew has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and has been invited as a guest speaker at numerous international conferences.
Our Motto
Caring Hearts, Educated Minds, Skilled Hands
Orchard
3 Mount Elizabeth #16-09, Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre,Singapore 228510
Tel:+65 6518 4688
Fax:+65 6235 0897
Mon-Fri:8:30am - 5:30pm
Sat / PH Eve:8:30am - 12:00 noon
Sun & Public Holiday: Closed
Farrer Park
1 Farrer Park Station Road Connexion,#08-07 Farrer Park Medical Centre,Singapore 217562
Tel:+65 6518 4868
Fax:+65 6443 6616
Mon-Fri:8:30am - 5:30pm
Sat / PH Eve:8:30am - 12:00 noon
Sun & Public Holiday: Closed
