The same level of treatment you’d receive at an immediate care clinic or other health care facility.
The pain and bloating often associated with constipation can make it extremely unpleasant to sit in one spot for long periods of time. Unfortunately, that’s what you have to do when you wait for treatment at an immediate care clinic or other health care facility. When you request DispatchHealth’s mobile care service, however, you’ll be able to relax at home while you wait for our medical team to arrive. We’re able to perform nearly every non-life-threatening medical service that an urgent care or emergency room can, and all for an affordable price — our services cost about the same as an urgent care clinic visit, and a fraction of the cost of an ER visit.
If this is an emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
What causes constipation?
If you’re having difficulty passing stool, straining during bowel movements, or feeling bloated, you may be constipated. Everyone goes to the bathroom at different frequencies, but as a general rule of thumb, you shouldn’t go longer than three days without a bowel movement. Constipation is very common and can be brought on by a number of factors, such as:
- Changing your diet or activities
- Not consuming enough water or fiber
- Consuming too much dairy
- Feeling stressed
Interestingly, overusing laxatives can eventually lead to constipation. You might also feel constipated after using narcotics, antidepressants, blood pressure pills, antacids, and certain other medications.
When does constipation require medical attention?
Almost everyone experiences constipation at some point. In many cases, constipation can be effectively treated at home using conservative methods such as adjusting your diet, exercising, or taking probiotic supplements. More severe cases of constipation, however, may require care from a medical professional. You should seek treatment for constipation if:
- It came on suddenly, along with pain or cramping, and you’re unable to pass gas
- You’re experiencing severe pain when you do have a bowel movement
- There’s blood in your stool
- Your stool has dramatically changed in size, shape, or consistency
- You’re losing weight, with no other explanation for the loss
- You’ve been constipated for more than two weeks
It’s important that you don’t wait to seek treatment, since failing to treat constipation can lead to the development of hemorrhoids, anal fissures, an impaction, or other complications. If you’re in need of treatment for constipation, call DispatchHealth or request service through our website or mobile app, and we’ll arrange to have our skilled team arrive at your home in just a few short hours.
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