Other health problems pelvic floor dysfunction and irritable bowel syndrome.
Aggravating pelvic floor constipation.
For a mild or moderate prolapse nonsurgical treatment is often effective.
Based on the principle of operant conditioning biofeedback provides auditory and visual feedback to help retrain the pelvic floor and relax the anal sphincter.
This can happen over time during vaginal childbirth or with chronic constipation violent coughing or heavy lifting.
During a biofeedback session a special tube catheter to measure muscle tension is inserted into your rectum.
In a study of biofeedback for pelvic floor dysfunction compared to laxatives the usual treatment for constipation nearly 80 of people undergoing biofeedback had improvement in constipation compared to 22 in the laxative group.
Common causes of constipation are.
Anterior prolapse is treatable.
Many things may cause constipation including.
Relaxing your pelvic floor muscles at the right time during defecation can help you pass stool more easily.
Stephanie talked about this in more detail in a previous blog post.
Once patients with pelvic floor constipation have these basic tools they can begin retraining the pelvic floor muscles with biofeedback.
Normally the pelvic floor muscles tighten to hold your urine and bowel motions in.
Pelvic floor dysfunction is the inability to control the muscles of your pelvic floor.
Irregular meals and not enough fiber in the diet.
Constipation can play a huge role in contributing to pelvic floor dysfunction.
Lifestyle factors such as low activity level.
Your pelvic floor is the group of muscles and ligaments in your pelvic region the pelvic floor acts like a.
Low fiber dietary patterns.
As a pelvic floor physical therapist the first thing i offer my patients is education.
The therapist guides you through exercises to alternately relax and tighten your pelvic muscles.
Medicines such as antidepressents and opioids.
Constipation has many causes so we need to address diet and fluid intake activity level and other habits.
Pain medications especially narcotics antacids that contain aluminum and calcium some blood pressure medications calcium channel blockers anti parkinson drugs antispasmodics antidepressants iron supplements diuretics anticonvulsants.
Your body needs water to stay hydrated to flush out toxins and keep your colon happy.
When you sit on the toilet the pelvic floor muscles should relax so that you are able to empty your bladder or bowel.
In constipation the pelvic floor muscles are tight and overactive and do not know how to relax.
Anterior prolapse occurs when the pelvic floor becomes weak or if too much pressure is put on the pelvic floor.
Lack of physical activity especially in the elderly medications e g.
Biofeedback training is the treatment of choice.
Some nutrition supplements such as iron and calcium.
Dehydration can lead to bowel dysfunction primarily.
