10 Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Chronic Constipation

Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD, June 19, 2007 .

10 Important Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Chronic Constipation:

1. What is chronic constipation?
   
2. Is my chronic constipation a sign of a serious disease such as colon cancer?
   
3. Can the medications I take be the cause of my chronic constipation?
   
4. What medical tests can help determine the cause of my chronic constipation?
   
5. Are psyllium powder mixes or other over-the-counter (OTC) remedies effective for ending constipation?
   
6. If I've been taking laxatives, how would I know if I'm dependent?
   
7. What dietary changes should I make to help my chronic constipation?
   
8. How can exercise help me avoid chronic constipation?
   
9. Would yoga or meditation help me ease my chronic constipation?
   
10. If all else fails, are there medical treatments for my chronic constipation?
    

SOURCES: Mayo Clinic: "10 Symptoms Not to Ignore." Mayo Clinic: "Dehydration." McIlwain H. A Diet for a Pain-Free Life, Marlowe, 2007. Harris McIlwain, MD, Tampa Medical Group, PA. Satish SC Rao, MD, PhD, FRCP (Lon), professor of medicine and director, neurogastroenterology & GI motility, University of Iowa. Medicinenet.com: "Constipation." Harvard School of Public Health: "Fiber: Start Roughing It!"