Being constipated can save your life

We get it. No one wants to talk about bathroom issues. But it’s important to keep track of what’s happening with your internal organs – especially when it comes to “build-up.” This symptom could be a red flag to serious conditions: and getting treatment on time, could mean the difference between life and death!

Why does it happen?

Being constipated can be extremely uncomfortable and miserable as your bowel movements have come to a sudden halt; it’s either really difficult to go or happens less frequently. Constipation will vary for everyone, and is usually related to your regular toilet habits, diet and lifestyle.

Constipation is the condition that happens when the stool sits in the colon for too long as a result of the colon absorbing water from the stool, leaving them dry and hard to pass. Essentially, there’s no “right” amount of bowel movements because everyone’s body functions differently.

Is it worth a doctor’s visit?

Occasional constipation is normal and it happens from time to time. It becomes more common after the age of 50. Unfortunately, constipation is no friend of your prostate gland as the bowel is located by the prostate. Your stools contain loads of toxins and bacteria and may start to leak over to the surrounding tissues; which will directly affect your prostate gland.

Sometimes you may not just be constipated; it could be a sign of prostate or colon cancer. It’s that serious, so don’t overlook it! Getting to a doctor on time, so you can get tested, makes all the difference to catching a sneaky condition before it becomes fatal.

Other red flags to watch out for:

Chronic cough

It could be a sign of heart failure, lung cancer, tuberculosis, pulmonary fibrosis (scarring of deep lung tissue), asthma, and sinusitis or gastroesophageal reflux disease. When a cough doesn’t go away it could be more serious. See a doctor, especially when you cough blood, lose weight unexpectedly, have trouble breathing and experience chest pain.

A sore that doesn’t heal

A wound or sore that doesn’t recover for weeks and months needs your doctor’s attention. Sores that don’t heal within three months are chronic wounds. They can start small, as a pimple or a scratch. They might scab but don’t actually get better.

Three main chronic wound-categories:

Diabetic ulcer
Wounds are a big risk for diabetics and can lead to amputation.

Venus leg ulcers
An uncontrollable swelling of the legs may leak because it’s overfilled with fluid.

Pressure ulcers
If you’re bedridden or wheelchair-bound you’re at risk for pressure ulcers. This includes spinal cord injuries. Wounds appear when there’s constant pressure that compresses vessels that carry blood to keep body tissues alive.

Symptoms that need a doctor’s attention:

Breathlessness
Loss of appetite
Erectile dysfunction
Unintended weight loss
Blood in your urine
Lower abdominal pain
Chest pain
Persistent vomitting
Leaking urine.

Screen, screen and screen again

Don’t dismiss warning signs. It’s important to get checked out regularly to find problems before they even begin. Early diagnosis means early treatment which is always the best solution for recovery and survival! If you have a symptom that worries you, why not chat to one of our doctors? They can point you in the right direction.

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