Hard stools are common in medicine as a physical complaint. It may be a harmless disorder or a symptom that should be taken seriously.
What is hard stool?
Hard stools occur when there is indigestion. In most cases, stool moves slowly through the intestines, drawing out a large amount of water. Predominantly, stool (feces) consists of water, intestinal bacteria, and undigested food residue. In addition, there are dead cells of the intestinal mucosa, secretions of the digestive glands and putrefactive products. Usually, the stool takes on a soft to medium-hard consistency. However, if the stool is firmer and drier than usual, it is referred to as hard stool. This can affect only one section, such as the first centimeter, or the entire bowel movement. A particularly severe case is when the stool is composed of small, hard fecal stones (sheep’s droppings). Emptying the bowels can then usually only take place with strong and usually also painful pressing. This is accompanied by tears in the intestinal and anal mucosa. The affected person feels this as a burning and stabbing pain. Since bowel emptying may even take several hours, a hard bowel movement as a chronic disease leads to a considerable restriction of the quality of life. In retrospect, sufferers feel fatigued and tired, which can be complemented by headaches and back pain.
Causes
Hard stools occur when there is indigestion. Usually, the stool moves slowly through the intestines, withdrawing a high percentage of water. Hardening can be attributed to a variety of causes. Among the most important triggers is diet. Experts have found that an above-average consumption of fat and sugar can have a negative effect on digestion. If this is accompanied by a lack of fiber and low fluid intake, hard stools can be caused. In addition, hard bowel movements may indicate irritable bowel syndrome or colorectal cancer. Irritable bowel syndrome is an intestinal disorder whose causes are not yet fully understood. Other triggers include organic bowel diseases that lead to paralysis of the bowel. These can occur after surgery or during inflammation.
Diseases with this symptom
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Colon cancer
- Electrolyte disturbance
Diagnosis and course
In most cases, hard stools are a harmless complaint. After a change in lifestyle and dietary habits, it should recede within a few days. If hard stools persist for a period longer than a week, the family physician should be consulted. In a comprehensive medical history, the doctor will find out about the patient’s physical condition and state of health. This is followed by a physical examination in which the intestinal region is palpated. In addition, stomach and bowel sounds are checked and the anus is examined. If a cause cannot be found, an examination of the blood values is performed. In some circumstances, this is accompanied by an analysis of fecal samples. If irritable bowel syndrome or colorectal cancer is suspected, a colonoscopy is performed, followed by an ultrasound examination (sonography).
Complications
The longer the stool remains in the intestine, the further it becomes thickened. As a complication, this in turn leads to the feces becoming harder and harder. The harder a person has to push accordingly to move the stool out of the intestine when going to the toilet. The strong squeezing can cause fine anal fissures. These are tiny injuries in the area of the anus. The mucous membrane has suffered small tears due to the strong pressing, which can become very painful during the process of defecation. Out of fear of this pain, defecation is often unconsciously withheld. However, this only leads to even harder bowel movements and further possible injuries in the anal region. Accordingly, specific medications must be used to keep bowel movements so soft that, ideally, daily defecation is possible without hard pressing and without pain. This also allows the fissures to heal. However, this requires some time. For this reason, stool softeners must not be discontinued prematurely.Another complication of hard stools is what are known as fecal stones. These are extremely solidified stool masses that can no longer be emptied by pressing alone. They then deposit in an area of the intestine and continue to solidify. Fecal stones can lead to intestinal obstruction and must be surgically removed if necessary.
When should you see a doctor?
Hard stools are unpleasant, but occur quite frequently. During elimination, those affected often suffer pain. Some people deal with these bowel movements only occasionally, others more often or even regularly. If the whole thing becomes an unpleasant routine, a visit to the doctor is advisable. Anyone who is tormented by hard stools on a daily or weekly basis should seek help. Some of those affected have probably already tried a lot before they go to the doctor. They exercise more, drink water more often and watch their diet. In other cases, these changes are of no use. In that case, there may be other causes behind it, which only a doctor can clarify. Some illnesses result in hard stools, but the intestines are otherwise perfectly fine. The contact persons are the family doctor and the internist. They check the blood values and arrange for a colonoscopy. Depending on the results, patients receive medication and further treatment. Exercise and a healthy diet are certainly also advised in most cases, because they benefit not only the intestines. Fear of colonoscopy may keep some from going to the doctor. But a protracted cause will only make matters worse.
Treatment and therapy
Once a disease has been ruled out, hard stools can only be prevented by long-term changes in lifestyle and dietary habits. Accordingly, it is especially important to pursue a sport. This can be jogging, swimming or cycling, for example. In addition, attention should be paid to a balanced diet. Excess fat and sugar should be avoided, while fiber and water should be consumed. In particularly severe cases, a laxative can be taken. If, on the other hand, hard bowel movements are attributed to a disease, appropriate therapy is initiated. In the case of irritable bowel syndrome, a complete cure is hardly possible. Instead, treatment is limited to alleviating the symptoms. In the case of a cancer diagnosis, the affected person has several treatment alternatives to choose from, the success of which depends on the stage of the disease. In addition to immunotherapy with antibodies, therapy can include hyperthermia, cryotherapy, and lasers to destroy metastases. Hard stool treatment is complemented by herbal and homeopathic therapeutic approaches. This begins with relaxation measures such as yoga or autogenic training and extends to bowel cleansing remedies. In addition, there are dietary supplements and laxatives to help the body with digestion.
Outlook and prognosis
In cases of hard stools and constipation, the patient himself can do the most to improve symptoms. The physician will usually recommend a number of behavioral changes. These include a healthy diet rich in vitamins and fiber, adequate fluid intake, and regular exercise. In most cases, these measures are already sufficient to normalize bowel movements. In severe cases or in patients for whom behavioral adjustment is not possible, laxatives prescribed by a physician can help. Osmotic laxatives, which bind water in the intestine, can keep stool moist and lubricated. Gas-forming laxatives, such as sodium bicarbonate, release gas in the intestines. This increases stool volume and pressure on the intestinal wall. When using laxatives, however, the patient must expect unpleasant side effects such as flatulence. In addition, most laxatives have a habituation effect after a certain time. The agents then lose their effect and the patient has to switch to other forms of therapy. If it is not only a case of intestinal sluggishness, but the hard stool is the result of a serious disease, this must first be treated.
Prevention
Hard stools are a complaint that can be prevented by various measures. In particular, it is important to avoid stressful situations, to pay attention to a healthy diet and to follow a sport regularly.In old age, it is also advisable to carry out colorectal cancer screening at continuous intervals. If bowel disease is suspected, a doctor should be consulted promptly. In this way, subsequent complaints can be avoided and effective treatment can be initiated. During preventive care, it is also advisable not to disturb the digestive rhythm. This includes regular eating and sleeping times. Suppression of bowel movements should also be avoided.
What you can do yourself
Hard bowel movements can be effectively treated by yourself. A proven home remedy is a tea preparation with sloth tree bark. Here, sufferers use a teaspoon of finely chopped sloth bark and pour 250 milliliters of cold water over it. The infusion should steep for about twelve hours with repeated stirring. Those affected should drink the tea lukewarm before going to bed. Furthermore, psyllium counteracts hard bowel movements. The mucilage they contain makes psyllium extremely valuable. After use, stool softening begins after about 12 to 24 hours. There are numerous ready-to-use preparations available, which those affected can obtain from any pharmacy. They are available in the form of capsules, granules or soluble powder. A daily dosage of 10 to 40 grams is recommended. Flax seeds are also advisable. Here, the broken and ground flax seeds are particularly suitable. The mucilages contained in them, as well as the oil, develop their effect quickly. In addition, the diet can be ideally designed with flaxseed. For breakfast, a tablespoon of flaxseed can be added to muesli or yogurt. Against hard stool numerous homemade Abführes create remedy. Ten grams of anise, fennel, senna and licorice roots are mixed together. Two teaspoons of it must be poured over with 250 milliliters of hot water. Affected people should consume a cup of the tea before going to bed.
