Constipation treatment, diagnosis & prescriptions

Maple is a virtual care platform that connects you with doctors and other healthcare providers via text, audio, or video. After you log in to your Maple account, you can request an online consultation.

Consultations work similarly to in-person appointments — the doctor can complete an assessment by asking questions about your symptoms, going through your health history, and determining what treatment is right for you. If they think your condition is more serious, they may tell you to go to a clinic for an in-person examination.

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Our membership costs $79.99/month and covers virtual care for patients and their families, including the primary account holder's spouse and any dependents.

For patients in eligible provinces, our membership includes:

• Access to daily primary care provider visits: One daily visit with a primary care provider for each family member in their household.
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Yes. In most cases, a doctor from Maple can diagnose constipation by asking about your symptoms and the frequency of your bowel movements. Once they have made a diagnosis, your doctor will make recommendations for management of constipation.

If the doctor suspects that your constipation is a symptom of a more serious problem, they may suggest that you go to a clinic for thorough physical examination.

Yes, our physicians can prescribe medications online during your consultation. Once you accept a prescription, you’ll have the option to pick it up from any pharmacy or to have it delivered right to your door at no additional cost.

You can visit our How it Works page to learn more.

Constipation is categorized as an inability to have or difficulty in having a bowel movement. Typically, the average person will have between three a day and three per week, depending on their age, diet, daily activity and digestive health.

Occasional constipation in adults is normal, and constipation in kids is very common, especially when their bodies are adjusting to digesting new foods.

However, chronic bouts of constipation could be a symptom of a more serious condition. Treatment for chronic constipation will depend on what your doctor believes to be the underlying cause.

Common constipation symptoms include:

• Hard or lumpy stools
• Feeling as though there is a blockage in the rectum or colon
• Being unable to completely empty the rectum, or feeling as though there is more stool that won’t come out
• Needing to press on your abdomen or requiring additional assistance in order to have a bowel movement
• Having fewer than three bowel movements in a week
• Staining or pushing hard in order to have a bowel movement

The most frequent constipation causes are not drinking enough water (dehydration) and not including enough fibre in your diet. Not getting enough exercise, as well as holding back the urge to have a bowel movement for too long are also commonly recognized causes of constipation.

Some medications also cause constipation, such as:

• Narcotics
• Iron supplements
• Blood pressure medications
• Antidepressants
• Medications to help prevent seizures
• Diuretics
• Antacids

Constipation is usually treated through a combination of adjustments to daily lifestyle habits, diet and constipation medicine, also known as laxatives.

Several types of laxatives exist, which all function in different ways. Some are available over the counter, while others are a prescription medication.

A doctor from Maple will make recommendations to use treatment methods and medications they believe will best treat your constipation. If you frequently experience constipation, they may offer some suggestions to help assist with constipation prevention.

In most cases, constipation can be treated with changes to daily routines, diet and laxatives. However, occasionally, it can become more severe and require immediate emergency medical attention.

In addition to constipation, if you begin to experience severe bloating, uncontrollable vomiting, intense or long-lasting abdominal pain or find blood in your stool you should seek immediate medical attention.