When Is Constipation a Sign of Something Serious Warning Signs to Watch?

Everyone feels “blocked up” now and then. In a fast-paced city like Pune, where stress levels are high and dietary habits often include spicy Misal or quick Vada Pavs, digestive issues are common. Constipation is often seen as a minor annoyance. Most people drink a little more water, eat some papaya, and wait for it to pass. But what happens when it doesn’t pass? Or what if it keeps coming back? While occasional constipation is normal, chronic constipation can sometimes be a red flag for underlying health issues. It is important to know when to stop treating it at home and when to visit a specialist. For residents in PCMC and Pune, Kaizen Gastro Care has emerged as the trusted destination for digestive health.

Here is a guide on when constipation turns into a warning sign and how the experts at Kaizen Gastro Care can help.

What is Considered "Normal"?

Before worrying, it is important to understand what constipation actually is. Doctors generally define constipation as having fewer than three bowel movements a week. It also includes having hard, dry stools or feeling like you cannot empty your bowels completely. If this happens once in a while due to travel or a bad meal, it is usually fine. However, if this becomes your “new normal” for weeks or months, your body is trying to tell you something.

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The 7 Warning Signs: When to See a Doctor?

If you are experiencing constipation along with any of the following symptoms, it is time to seek professional Constipation Treatment in Pune.

Blood in the Stool: This is the most urgent warning sign. If you see bright red blood on the toilet paper or dark, tarry stools, do not ignore it. While it could be something simple like piles (hemorrhoids) or a fissure, it can also be a sign of colon cancer or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Dr. Vikrant Kale, a leading Hepatologist and Interventional Endoscopist at Kaizen Gastro Care, emphasizes that rectal bleeding should never be self-diagnosed.
Unexplained Weight Loss: Are you losing weight without trying? If you are eating normally but the numbers on the scale are dropping, and you are also constipated, this is a concern. It could suggest that your body is not absorbing nutrients properly, or it could be a sign of a stricture (narrowing of the intestine) or a tumor.
Severe Abdominal Pain: Constipation often causes bloating and discomfort. However, it should not cause severe, sharp pain that stops you from doing your daily tasks. If you have intense pain along with the inability to pass gas, this could indicate an intestinal obstruction (blockage). This is a medical emergency.
Sudden Change in Bowel Habits: If you have always been regular and suddenly, at the age of 45 or 50, you become legally constipated, pay attention. A sudden, unexplained change in bowel habits that lasts more than two weeks warrants a visit to the Best Gastroenterology Clinic in Pune.
Thin or Pencil-Like Stools: If your stool is consistently very thin, it might mean something is blocking the way inside the colon. This prevents the stool from forming its normal shape. This is often a structural issue that needs an expert opinion from a specialist like Dr. Samrat Jankar, the clinic’s renowned Laparoscopic and GI surgeon.
Family History of Cancer: If your parents or siblings have had colon cancer or polyps, your risk is higher. Chronic constipation in these cases should be investigated earlier. Screening procedures like colonoscopy can be life-saving.
Constipation that Ignores Laxatives: If you have tried fiber supplements, over-the-counter laxatives, and home remedies, but nothing is working, this is “intractable constipation.” It suggests that the muscles or nerves in your gut are not working right, or there is a physical blockage.

Why Pune Residents Trust Kaizen Gastro Care?

When facing these symptoms, patients need more than just a general physician. They need focused, specialized care. Kaizen Gastro Care, located in Wakad, has established itself as a center of excellence for GI problems in the PCMC and Pune region.

Here is why this clinic stands out:

A Dual-Expertise Approach Most clinics have either a medical gastroenterologist or a surgeon. Kaizen Gastro Care has both.
1. Vikrant Kale: As the Director and a Senior Gastroenterologist, Dr. Vikrant Kale is an expert in diagnosing the root cause. He specializes in endoscopy and medical management of complex digestive diseases.
2. Samrat Jankar: As a Director and Senior GI Surgeon, Dr. Samrat Jankar steps in when surgery is the best cure. Whether it is a complex hernia causing blockage or severe piles, his expertise in laparoscopic and colorectal surgery ensures patients get the most advanced care.
Advanced Technology To treat serious constipation, you must see what is happening inside. The clinic is equipped with state-of-the-art endoscopic equipment. This allows Dr. Vikrant Kale to perform painless colonoscopies to check for polyps, tumors, or inflammation. For functional issues (where the muscles aren’t working), they offer specialized diagnostic tests that many other clinics do not.
Holistic and Compassionate Care The team understands that talking about bowel movements can be embarrassing. The staff at Kaizen Gastro Care is trained to be supportive and discreet. They also have Dr. Bhushan Khedkar, a Consultant Dietitian, to help patients manage constipation through specialized diet plans, and Dr. Rupali Bandgar-Jankar, a Consultant Gastrophysiologist, to help with muscle function therapies.

How is Serious Constipation Treated?

Once you visit Kaizen Gastro Care, the treatment plan is personalized to your specific condition.

Dietary Management: Often, the solution starts with the right food. The in-house nutritionist helps patients design a diet plan suitable for the Indian palate—rich in fiber but gentle on the stomach.
Medication Review: Sometimes, other medicines you are taking (like painkillers or iron supplements) cause constipation. The doctors review and adjust these.
Biofeedback Therapy: For patients whose pelvic muscles don’t relax properly to let stool pass, this non-invasive therapy teaches the muscles how to work correctly.
Surgical Intervention: If the constipation is caused by a blockage, large piles, or a rectal prolapse (where the rectum slips out), Samrat Jankar offers minimally invasive laparoscopic surgeries. These procedures result in less pain and faster recovery.

Prevention: Tips for a Healthy Gut

While you should always see a doctor for the warning signs mentioned above, you can maintain general gut health with these simple tips:

Hydrate: Pune’s weather can get dry. Drink at least 3 liters of water a day.
Fiber First: Add salads, leafy vegetables, and fruits to your thali. Avoid Maida (refined flour) found in biscuits and breads.
Move More: A sedentary lifestyle slows down digestion. A simple 30-minute walk in your local park can wake up your gut.
Don’t Hold It: When you feel the urge to go, go. Delaying it makes the stool harder and more difficult to pass later.

Conclusion: Do Not Ignore Your Gut

Your digestive system is the engine of your body. If it is struggling, your whole body suffers. Constipation is usually manageable, but when it comes with pain, blood, or weight loss, it is a cry for help. Residents of Pimpri-Chinchwad, Wakad, Baner, Aundh, and wider Pune do not need to suffer in silence. With the combined expertise of Dr. Vikrant Kale and Dr. Samrat Jankar, Kaizen Gastro Care offers world-class diagnosis and treatment right in your neighborhood. Don’t let constipation control your life. If you notice any warning signs, book an appointment with the experts today.