Constipation Doctor in Boca Raton, FL

Constipation is the most common gastrointestinal complaint. Even though it’s the reason for 2.5 million doctor visits annually, there are probably millions more who don’t see a doctor for help with Constipation. It’s not only uncomfortable to experience but also uncomfortable to discuss – even with healthcare professionals.

But it’s important to seek treatment. Not only can severe constipation be accompanied by mild to severe pain or cramping, but it can also sometimes lead to a blockage if left untreated. Rectal prolapse – where tissues slip out of the rectum – tears in your anus, or hemorrhoids.

For the 16 percent of Americans who report suffering with chronic Constipation, it can occur due to any one of many underlying digestive conditions.

At Manhattan Integrative Medicine in Boca Raton, FL, we can help you put an end to chronic Constipation. To schedule your consultation with Florida’s top integrative and functional medicine doctor who specializes in digestive health issues like Constipation, complete the form below or call us at (754) 247-0122 today!

What is Constipation?

Constipation is defined by infrequent bowel movements. You’re constipated when you are not passing stool often enough – or not at all – or when you’re only passing small amounts of hard, dry stool. What is often enough? Bowel movements vary among individuals: they can range from three times a week to three times a day in healthy individuals. If you’re not passing stool at least three times a week, you’re probably constipated.

Sometimes people don’t even realize they are constipated. You can have regular bowel movements and still be constipated – because you may have a backup of fecal matter clogging your intestines and wreaking havoc with your digestive function. If you’re straining more or have a stool that is hard and looks like rocks, those are just a couple of examples that suggest you may be constipated.

Causes of Constipation

The most common cause of Constipation is not enough water or fluids to help move your stools – well, fluidly. When stool congests in your colon, it begins to ferment, creating gas - and ultimately, Constipation.

Besides lack of fluids, other common causes of Constipation include:

• Lack of fiber
• Not enough exercise
• Digestive conditions like IBS, Crohn’s Disease, SIBO, Leaky Gut, Celiac Disease or even Metabolic Syndrome
• Certain medications used for pain (especially opioids), seizures, high blood pressure, allergies or depression
• Intestinal blockages from damage or injury, tumors or fecal blockage
• Autoimmune diseases like Multiple Sclerosis or Parkinson’s
• Thyroid disorders
• Pregnancy

Sometimes, just not going when you need to go – if you develop that habit of holding it in – can lead to Constipation.

Risk Factors for Constipation

Constipation can impact anyone – regardless of their general health condition. It can develop at any age, ethnicity and in gender, but it is more common in women. Older adults are more likely to experience Constipation. Also, mental health conditions can be another risk factor: people with depression and eating disorders experience more Constipation.

Symptoms of Constipation

Proper digestion is essential for physical and mental function and Constipation is a signal that things are awry in your digestive system. Symptoms of Constipation include abdominal symptoms like:

• Passing stool less than 3 times per week
• Having to strain when passing stools
• Swelling or distention of your abdomen
• A feeling that your rectum is blocked or that you have not emptied your bowels
• Pain
• Cramping
• Discomfort
• Gas
• Hard, lumpy or pellet type stools

Teasing out what specifically may be causing your Constipation is the next step in your diagnosis and treatment journey.

Diagnosing Constipation

If you are experiencing symptoms of Constipation, our goal is to uncover the source of your symptoms, so that we can effectively diagnose and treat your condition. At Manhattan Integrative Medicine in Boca Raton, FL, we have a great deal of experience in diagnosing Constipation and have had great success in treating the condition among our patients.

A complete medical history, medical testing, and a comprehensive assessment of your symptoms can be effective tools that can be used to accurately diagnose Constipation or any underlying medical conditions that may be causing your Constipation.

Treatment Options for Constipation

Dr. Borenstein will create a customized treatment plan specific for your specific health concerns, choosing antibiotics or other more natural remedies such as Microb-Clear to kill off bad bacteria in your gut. When your gut becomes unbalanced and has an overgrowth of unhealthy bacteria - and not enough healthy bacteria - disease often results. Restoring that delicate balance in your microbiome can be the first step toward healing Constipation and other digestive complaints.

He also recommends starving bad bacteria overgrowth by removing legumes, bread, and other products containing refined sugar, including alcohol.

Replacing those foods with healthy fats, leafy greens, non-starchy vegetables, high fiber options and lean proteins are better choices for healthy gut bacteria to thrive – and they also can help with Constipation.

Repairing the Motion Migration Complex (MMC) is another step in achieving proper digestive function.

To regulate your MMC, making necessary lifestyle changes and different food choices – together with taking promotility medications - can help bring restoration and regulation.

Dr. Borenstein sometimes utilizes Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN). Naltrexone has been shown to help lessen inflammation in the bowels and reduce uncomfortable symptoms caused by SIBO and other digestive disorders. Most people believe conditions like SIBO only cause diarrhea, but Constipation can also be a symptom.

It’s also essential to optimize stomach acid and digestive enzymes which can help with food digestion. Especially as we age, digestive enzymes produced by the body and stomach acid levels can decline. Supplementing with either or both may be helpful.

As one of the top digestive doctors in Florida, Dr. Borenstein offers the most effective integrative treatment options for Constipation. Lifestyle changes, like incorporating more movement into your life and changing what you eat, are just the tip of the iceberg (though romaine might be a better choice for added fiber).

It’s also important to address any medical conditions – digestive and otherwise – that may be contributing to your Constipation. For instance, thyroid hormone levels can impact digestion and lead to constipation. Testing and treating thyroid dysfunction can in some cases completely resolve chronic Constipation and other digestive concerns.

There are so many effective treatment options available for Constipation and other digestive issues, so schedule your consultation today.

What to Expect from a Digestive Care Visit

Our approach always involves seeing the human body as a single entity rather than as individual organs or metabolic processes. Since every part of the body is interconnected with every other part, any illness that affects one specific part of the body has a profound impact on the rest.

At Manhattan Integrative Medicine in Boca Raton, FL, we offer the most up-to-date testing and diagnostics, along with a cutting-edge functional and integrative medicine approach and a powerful focus on prevention, so you can avoid illness, injury and disease and maintain renewed health and freedom from troublesome digestive symptoms and conditions like Constipation.

We recommend that you prepare a list of current symptoms – whether or not they are related to your Constipation - prior to your first consultation. On your first visit, Dr. Borenstein will discuss your family medical history, personal medical history, lifestyle, daily stressors, diet, exercise habits, and current medications. He may also conduct blood, saliva, or urine tests, as necessary.

Request your consultation today

Dr. David Borenstein is a top functional medicine practitioner in Florida who recognizes that each individual patient requires a prevention and treatment regimen tailored to an individual health profile and specific medical and family history. Dr. Borenstein has an established history of helping his patients heal from illness and restore overall health and longevity.

Call Manhattan Integrative Medicine in Boca Raton FL at (754) 247-0122 for an initial phone consultation or complete our quick online form.

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Serving patients in Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Jupiter, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Parkland, Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, Coconut Creek, Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale, Weston, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Aventura, Miami and the surrounding Palm Beach, Broward and Dade County, Florida communities.