Constipation is a common digestive problem, but when difficulty passing stools becomes persistent, painful, or affects your daily routine, it may require professional evaluation. Infrequent bowel movements, hard stools, excessive straining, and a feeling of incomplete bowel emptying can all indicate constipation.
While occasional constipation may be linked to diet or lifestyle changes, recurring symptoms can sometimes be associated with conditions involving the digestive tract, nerves, muscles, medications, or other underlying health problems. Consulting an experienced gastroenterologist can help identify the cause and guide appropriate treatment.
At Globus Gastroenterology Hospital in Malad West, Dr. Vedant H. Karvir provides specialist gastroenterology care for digestive and gastrointestinal conditions. If you are searching for a Constipation specialist doctor in Mumbai, understanding the causes, diagnostic options, and available treatment approaches can help you take the right next step.
What Is Constipation?
Constipation generally refers to having bowel movements less frequently than usual, often accompanied by difficulty passing stools. The Globus Hospital reference page notes that constipation is technically associated with fewer than three bowel movements per week, although normal bowel frequency can vary between individuals. A person may still experience constipation if stools are hard, passing them takes considerable effort or causes pain, or there is a sensation that the bowel has not emptied completely.
Constipation can affect people of different age groups. Persistent symptoms should not simply be ignored, particularly when they are accompanied by other digestive complaints or changes in bowel habits.
What Causes Constipation?
During digestion, food travels through the digestive tract and nutrients are absorbed. As waste moves through the large intestine, water is absorbed and stool is formed. If the colon absorbs excessive water, the stool can become dry and hard, making it more difficult to pass.
Several factors can contribute to constipation, including:
- Insufficient dietary fibre
- Changes in diet
- Eating disorders
- Stress
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Side effects of certain medicines
- Hypothyroidism
- Parkinson’s disease
- Problems involving digestive tract muscles
- Problems affecting nerves of the colon or rectum
- Certain structural or obstructive conditions
In children, constipation is commonly functional or non-organic, although persistent symptoms may still require assessment by an appropriate specialist.
Because constipation can have different causes, simply treating the symptom without understanding the underlying reason may not always provide lasting relief.
Common Symptoms of Constipation
Constipation can present differently from one person to another. Common symptoms include:
- Hard or dry stools
- Infrequent bowel movements
- Difficulty or excessive straining while passing stools
- Pain during bowel movements
- Spending a long time in the toilet
- Feeling that the bowel has not completely emptied
- Abdominal discomfort or bloating in some individuals
If symptoms continue despite dietary and lifestyle measures, a medical consultation can help determine whether further evaluation is necessary.
When Should You See a Gastroenterologist?
Occasional constipation may improve after addressing factors such as inadequate fibre intake or dietary changes. However, recurrent or persistent constipation deserves medical attention.
You should consider consulting a gastroenterologist when constipation:
- Continues for an extended period
- Frequently returns
- Causes significant pain or difficulty passing stools
- Is associated with a noticeable change in bowel habits
- Does not improve with basic lifestyle measures
- Occurs alongside other concerning digestive symptoms
A specialist can review your symptoms, medical history, medications, dietary habits, and bowel pattern before deciding whether diagnostic testing is required.
How Is Constipation Diagnosed?
Diagnosis begins with a detailed consultation. Your doctor may ask about the frequency and consistency of bowel movements, straining, diet, medications, lifestyle, previous medical conditions, and other digestive symptoms.
Depending on the symptoms and suspected cause, additional diagnostic investigations may be recommended.
Colonoscopy
A colonoscopy allows the doctor to examine the inner lining of the colon using a flexible camera. It may be recommended in selected patients when the doctor needs to investigate the colon for an underlying condition.
Ano-Rectal Manometry
Ano-rectal manometry is a specialized test that evaluates the function and coordination of the muscles and nerves involved in bowel movements. It can help assess certain functional causes of difficulty with stool passage.
The Globus Hospital constipation page specifically mentions colonoscopy and ano-rectal manometry among diagnostic tests that may be advised to understand the cause and type of constipation.
Constipation Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the underlying cause, severity of symptoms, age, medical history, and response to previous treatment.
Dietary and Lifestyle Changes
For constipation related to lifestyle or diet, increasing fibre intake, maintaining adequate hydration, staying physically active, and establishing regular bowel habits may be recommended.
However, individual requirements differ, and people with certain medical conditions may need specific dietary guidance.
Medicines and Laxatives
Doctors may prescribe laxatives in many cases of constipation. Different types work in different ways, so the choice should be based on the patient’s symptoms and medical circumstances.
Self-medicating with laxatives for prolonged periods is not advisable without medical guidance, particularly when constipation is recurrent or unexplained.
Treating the Underlying Condition
When constipation is caused by another medical condition, medication, nerve problem, muscle dysfunction, or structural obstruction, treatment needs to address the underlying cause.
In selected cases where constipation is related to an obstruction in the rectum or colon, surgical treatment may be considered.
Meet Dr. Vedant H. Karvir at Globus Gastroenterology Hospital
Dr. Vedant H. Karvir is a Hepato-Gastroenterologist and Chief Hepato Gastroenterologist at Globus Gastroenterology Hospital. He has more than 12 years of experience in gastroenterology, hepatology, and therapeutic endoscopy.
His clinical interests include liver diseases and therapeutic endoscopy. According to Globus Hospital, Dr. Karvir has performed more than 15,000 gastroscopies and over 5,000 colonoscopies. His advanced procedural experience includes management of gastrointestinal bleeding, esophageal and colonic dilatation, ERCP for removal of common bile duct stones, and PEG feeding tube insertion.
This broad gastroenterology and endoscopy experience is relevant when constipation requires investigation for an underlying gastrointestinal or colorectal cause.
Why Choose Globus Gastroenterology Hospital?
Globus Gastroenterology Hospital was established by Dr. Vedant H. Karvir and Dr. Bijal V. Karvir. The hospital began as a dedicated day-care endoscopy centre in Malad and has developed into a dedicated super-speciality facility for adult and paediatric digestive and liver diseases.
The hospital describes itself as a NABH-accredited facility offering gastroenterology care under one roof. Its services include conventional and advanced endoscopy, GI and uro surgeries, pathology, radiology, Fibroscan, manometry, pharmacy, dedicated GI and liver disease dietician services, and other supporting facilities.
For patients looking for the Best Gastro Hospital in Mumbai, Globus combines specialist gastroenterology expertise with diagnostic and therapeutic facilities designed around digestive and liver disorders.
It is important to note that Globus also provides paediatric gastroenterology services through Dr. Bijal V. Karvir, who is identified by the hospital as a Paediatric Hepato-Gastroenterologist. Therefore, the keyword pediatric gastroenterologist in mumbai is relevant to the hospital’s broader paediatric gastroenterology services, while Dr. Vedant H. Karvir is a Hepato-Gastroenterologist serving primarily within adult gastroenterology and hepatology.
Take the Next Step for Persistent Constipation
Constipation should not always be treated as a minor digestive inconvenience. When symptoms are persistent, recurrent, painful, or associated with changes in bowel habits, identifying the underlying cause is important.
If you need a Constipation specialist doctor in Mumbai, Dr. Vedant H. Karvir at Globus Gastroenterology Hospital can evaluate your symptoms and determine whether lifestyle management, medication, or further diagnostic investigation may be appropriate.
Book an Appointment with Dr. Vedant H. Karvir
Phone: +91 98331 06104 / 98331 87118
Mail: info@globushospital.in
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How is constipation diagnosed?
A doctor generally begins with your symptoms, bowel habits, medical history, diet, medications, and physical assessment. Depending on the suspected cause, tests such as colonoscopy or ano-rectal manometry may be recommended.
2. What are the common causes of constipation?
Common causes include inadequate fibre intake, dietary changes, stress, irritable bowel syndrome, certain medications, hypothyroidism, Parkinson’s disease, and problems involving the muscles or nerves of the digestive tract.
3. Can constipation require surgery?
Most cases do not require surgery. However, according to the Globus Hospital reference page, surgery may be considered when constipation is caused by an obstruction involving the rectum or colon. The appropriate treatment depends on the underlying condition.
4. When should I consult a constipation specialist?
You should consider specialist evaluation when constipation is persistent, recurrent, painful, difficult to manage, or accompanied by other concerning changes in bowel habits. A gastroenterologist can assess possible causes and determine whether further investigations are needed.