08/20/2025
Think constipation is just a bathroom inconvenience? Think again.
It might seem harmless to “skip a day” or strain a little, but chronic constipation can cause serious health problems. One of the biggest dangers is diverticulitis, and if it gets bad enough, you could even end up facing emergency surgery and a colostomy bag.
The most common story I hear from patients when I have to perform an emergency colon surgery is that they are always constipated, but this time they were constipated just a little bit longer, and the pain was unbearable.
Diverticulitis happens when small pouches form in the wall of your colon (called diverticula) and become inflamed or infected. This can cause intense stomach pain, fever, nausea, and changes in your bowel habits. Severe cases can cause the colon to tear or develop an abscess—both of which are surgical emergencies. When this happens, sometimes I have to remove the afected part of the colon. When it gets really bad, we surgeons tell each other “it looked like the a bomb went off in there!”
In emergency situations, the safest way for your body to heal may be to create a colostomy—an opening in your abdomen where waste leaves your body into a special bag. For many people, this is temporary, but in some cases it can be permanent. While life with a colostomy is manageable, most people would prefer to avoid it if possible.
The good news is that most of this is preventable! Listen to your grandma! Stay hydrated, eat a diet rich in fiber (fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains), and keep your body moving. These steps keep your digestive system healthy and reduce your risk of constipation and diverticulitis. And if you’re dealing with constipation that lasts more than a week, or you notice severe abdominal pain, don’t wait—see a doctor right away.
💡 Bottom line: Constipation isn’t just uncomfortable—it can spiral into serious problems like diverticulitis, surgery, and even a colostomy. Take care of your gut health now, and you can avoid a world of pain.
For more information on abdominal pain visit us at:
https://www.qssurgical.com/services/abdominal-pain
Or call us at 678-857-4882
We’ll be glad to help!
