Dr. Rishi Chadha, MD is a board‑certified gastroenterologist who specializes in preventive gastroenterology, colorectal cancer screening, and minimally invasive endoscopic procedures. He completed his fellowship at Sunrise Health GME in Las Vegas and previously trained in internal medicine at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Connecticut.
Constipation refers to the movements of the bowel which are less than three in a week. Stools may also be very hard, dry or painful to pass and you may also experience a bloated bowel or the urge to continue passing. The weather in Houston is hot, which worsens symptoms in case of dehydration.
He examines your diet, fluid consumption, physical activity, medications, and health history in general to determine possible causes.
To rule out metabolic or hormonal causes of slow transit we test thyroid functioning, electrolytes and other lab parameters.
For patients over 50 or those with bleeding, a colonoscopy examines the colon lining for polyps, strictures, or other pathology.
In the case of continuing constipation specific tests (anorectal manometry, balloon expulsion or whole-gut transit studies) measure nerve and muscle activity.
Dr. Rishi Chadha, MD is a board‑certified gastroenterologist who specializes in preventive gastroenterology, colorectal cancer screening, and minimally invasive endoscopic procedures. He completed his fellowship at Sunrise Health GME in Las Vegas and previously trained in internal medicine at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Connecticut.
Three to three times a day or three to three times a week is regarded as normal.
Reduce cheese, white bread, and huge portions of red meat that slow down digestion.
Yes. Lower back pain or discomfort can be a result of straining when passing bowel movements.
Bananas have a lot of fiber content and normally aid digestion when being ripe. Raw (immature) bananas can slow down bowel movement.
The average dosage used by an adult is 17 grams (approximately one large heaped spoonful) in a day. The last thing you want to do is to ignore your doctor.
Yes. Greater or lasting constipation may result in nausea, bloating, or vomiting in severe instances.
Contact a provider in case constipation extends longer than three weeks, or in case of extreme pain, unexplained loss of weight, bleeding, or vomiting.
It is safe to use bulk-forming laxatives on a regular basis (e.g., psyllium). Do not take daily stimulant laxatives unless instructed to do so by your physician.
Yes. Stress and anxiety would change gut motility and cause constipation.
Lack of sufficient fluids results in the colon absorbing more water in stool thus making it hard, dry, and difficult to pass.
