Advanced Constipation Diagnosis, Anorectal Manometry & Bowel Function Care in Broward County
Dr. Astha Bhatt, MD provides physician-led Constipation Diagnosis and Treatment for patients with chronic constipation, severe constipation, difficult evacuation, pelvic floor dysfunction, recurrent fecal impaction, and bowel-control problems throughout Broward County and South Florida.
Rather than simply adding another laxative, the goal is to identify whether symptoms are related to slow movement through the colon, difficulty relaxing the pelvic floor, an anatomical problem, medications, or another underlying condition.
Dr. Bhatt provides:
Book a Constipation Evaluation
Same-week consultations may be available for chronic constipation, difficult evacuation and bowel-control concerns. Complete the form or call our South Florida office at (954) 388-0860
WHEN CONSTIPATION NEEDS MORE THAN HOME TREATMENT
Consider a medical evaluation when bowel movements remain difficult despite reasonable changes in fiber, fluid intake, physical activity or over-the-counter treatment—or when constipation repeatedly returns and begins interfering with everyday life.
A proper constipation diagnosis helps determine whether the main problem is stool consistency, colon transit, pelvic floor coordination or a structural condition.
Dr. Bhatt evaluates several important areas:
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Your Pattern of Symptoms: How often you have bowel movements, stool consistency, straining, incomplete emptying, bloating, urgency and the need for manual assistance.
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Medications & Medical Conditions: Prescription medications, supplements and conditions such as thyroid or metabolic disorders may contribute to constipation.
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Colon Transit: Some patients have slow-transit constipation, in which stool moves through the colon more slowly than expected.
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Structural Causes
Selected patients may have rectal prolapse, rectocele, narrowing or other Anatomical problems that interfere with evacuation.
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Pelvic Floor & Anorectal Function Difficulty relaxing the muscles used for defecation can make bowel movements difficult even when stool reaches the rectum normally.
For specialized Constipation Specialist in South Florida, Dr. Bhatt prioritizes safety and surgical precision,Evaluating your overall health to determine if non-surgical therapy, Axonics® Therapy is the safest choice for your Bowel Incontinence Treatment.
Book a Constipation Evaluation
Same-week consultations may be available for chronic constipation, difficult evacuation and bowel-control concerns. Complete the form or call our South Florida office at (954) 388-0860
Depending on the location of the tumor, Dr. Bhatt performs specific types of colon resections using Da Vinci Xi. During these procedures, the affected portion of the colon is removed, and the remaining healthy ends are carefully reconnected (a process called an anastomosis) to maintain normal digestive function.As a fellowship-trained colon surgery specialist, Dr. Bhatt performs several types of colon resection for colon cancer, tailoring each procedure to the precise location and stage of the tumor:
Anorectal manometry is a non-invasive test that measures anal sphincter pressure, rectal sensation, and pelvic floor coordination. Completed in about 30–45 minutes, it provides detailed information about bowel function and can play an important role in Constipation Diagnosis and Treatment, especially when chronic or severe constipation continues despite routine care.
Best For: Accurately diagnosing the root cause of fecal incontinence and severe constipation.
Axonics® Therapy and Medtronic InterStim™ use sacral neuromodulation to stimulate the nerves involved in bowel control. For selected patients, this advanced Bowel Incontinence Treatment or Fecal Incontinence Treatment may reduce bowel leakage, urgency, and frequent accidents.
Best For: Patients with persistent bowel incontinence despite conservative treatment.
For selected patients with rectal prolapse, pelvic floor disorders, or structural causes of severe constipation, Dr. Bhatt may use the da Vinci Xi Robotic Surgical System to correct the underlying problem and help restore bowel function.
Best For: Structural causes of difficult evacuation or Severe Constipation Treatment.
For one patient, treatment may involve medication and bowel-habit changes. Another may benefit from pelvic floor therapy or biofeedback. Patients with abnormal anorectal function may need specialized testing, while those with bowel incontinence or a confirmed structural disorder may benefit from more advanced treatment. This individualized approach allows Dr. Bhatt to develop a Chronic Constipation Treatment plan based on objective findings rather than repeatedly treating symptoms without identifying the underlying cause.
Patients seeking a Constipation Specialist near me deserve clear clinical explanations, highly individualized planning, and direct communication with their physician. Backed by hundreds of verified patient reviews and over 2,000 successful procedures, Dr. Bhatt is a trusted local choice for advanced Severe Constipation Treatment and pelvic floor restoration.
Patients seeking a Constipation Specialist near me deserve clear clinical explanations, highly individualized planning, and direct communication with their physician.
A Patient Guide to Constipation Diagnosis and Treatment
Learn what to expect during a medical evaluation, how diagnostics like Anorectal Manometry work, and when therapies like Axonics or robotic intervention may be considered—directly from Dr. Astha Bhatt, MD.
In this patient education video, Dr. Bhatt shares clinical insights from over 15 years of medical experience. She provides a physician-led overview of how we evaluate chronic constipation, pelvic floor disorders, and bowel incontinence.
Chronic constipation is not always caused by diet. Some patients have abnormal colon transit. Others have difficulty coordinating the muscles needed to empty the rectum. Some patients have a structural problem, while others have several contributing factors at the same time.
If symptoms continue despite fiber, hydration, laxatives or prescription treatment, a targeted medical evaluation may help determine why.
Meet Dr. Astha Bhatt, MD
Dr. Astha Bhatt, MD is a Board-Certified General Surgeon and Fellow of the American College of Surgeons with advanced fellowship training in minimally invasive and robotic colon and rectal procedures.
For patients with chronic constipation, her focus is not simply determining whether surgery is needed. Most patients do not require an operation. The first priority is understanding the cause of the bowel dysfunction and choosing appropriate medical therapy, pelvic floor treatment, additional testing or intervention.
Dr. Bhatt personally reviews each patient’s history, prior studies and previous treatments and explains the next steps in understandable terms.
Board-Certified Surgical Training
Robotic Colon Cancer Surgery: Dr. Bhatt is certified by the American Board of Surgery and experienced in evaluating complex abdominal, pelvic and bowel conditions.
Advanced Fellowship Training
Dr. Bhatt completed The Fellowship Council-accredited program at AdventHealth Tampa,
Physician-Led Care
Dr. Bhatt personally does Evaluation, diagnosis, treatment planning and follow-up are personally directed by Dr. Bhatt.
Fewer than three bowel movements per week
Hard or difficult-to-pass stools
Incomplete evacuation
Feeling of a rectal blockage
Dr. Bhatt provides physician-led evaluation for patients throughout Broward County and surrounding South Florida communities. Your existing practice page also lists access through multiple Broward-area hospitals and surgical facilities. With a primary head office in Pompano Beach and a clinic in Fort Lauderdale, her practice features convenient satellite offices to ensure you have accessible, high-quality care.
Serving Fort Lauderdale, Wilton Manors, Oakland Park, Lauderdale Lakes, Lauderhill, and Lauderdale-By-The-Sea with top-tier Chronic Constipation Treatment.
Serving patients in Pompano Beach, Deerfield Beach, Lighthouse Point, Coconut Creek, and Boca Raton seeking a trusted Constipation Specialist.
Constipation diagnosis, bowel-function evaluation and pelvic-floor treatment planning for patients throughout northwest Broward County.
Convenient evaluation for persistent constipation and difficult evacuation in western and southwest Broward County.
Physician-led consultation for patients experiencing chronic bowel-function problems.
Second opinions and evaluation are available for patients traveling from Boca Raton and surrounding communities.
Our clinic and Dr. Bhatt welcomes patients across Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade counties for in-person or telehealth appointments.
Precision Care Through Robotic Colorectal Surgery
Today, South Florida patients have access to advanced, minimally invasive options. Dr. Astha Bhatt specializes in robotic colon cancer surgery utilizing the da Vinci Surgical System. As a dedicated robotic colorectal surgeon, she uses specialized instruments inserted through a few tiny incisions, rather than a single large opening.While a minimally invasive approach is highly desirable, patient safety is always Dr. Bhatt’s primary concern.
PATIENT QUESTIONS Constipation Diagnosis and Treatment Frequently Asked Questions
Chronic constipation is ongoing difficulty having comfortable, complete bowel movements. It may mean having fewer than three bowel movements a week, but frequency is only one part of the picture. Many patients have a bowel movement more often and still have constipation because stools are hard or lumpy, they must strain, they feel blocked, or they regularly feel that stool has not completely passed. Rather than a passing issue, this condition often involves infrequent stools, passing hard or lumpy stools, excessive straining, or a frustrating feeling of incomplete emptying. Many patients also describe a sensation of physical blockage or even the need to manually assist stool evacuation just to find comfort.
Constipation may develop from diet, medications, dehydration, reduced activity, slow movement of stool through the colon, pelvic-floor dysfunction, medical conditions, or a structural problem involving the rectum or pelvic floor. Some people have more than one cause.
When symptoms continue despite reasonable self-care, a structured Constipation Diagnosis and Treatment plan can help identify the underlying problem instead of repeatedly changing laxatives.
Patients seeking Chronic Constipation Treatment in Broward County should consider evaluation when symptoms are persistent, worsening, or interfering with daily life, especially when there is bleeding, unexplained weight loss, significant abdominal pain, vomiting, or inability to pass gas. Dr. Bhatt creates personalized, medically accurate care plans designed to help you recover faster and comfortably return to your daily activities. Schedule an evaluation at our Pompano Beach or Fort Lauderdale clinic today.
Severe constipation generally refers to constipation that is persistent, difficult to control, or disruptive enough to significantly affect daily life. It is not defined only by the number of days between bowel movements. A patient may have severe symptoms because of repeated fecal impaction, prolonged straining, marked difficulty emptying the rectum, frequent need for enemas or laxatives, or symptoms that continue despite appropriate treatment.
The cause matters. Severe constipation can result from slow colon transit, pelvic-floor muscle dysfunction, medication effects, medical conditions, or a structural problem such as rectal prolapse or another form of obstructed defecation. For that reason, Severe Constipation Treatment should be based on the underlying diagnosis rather than simply using progressively stronger laxatives.
Dr. Astha Bhatt evaluates patients with persistent or complicated bowel-function problems and may recommend additional testing when the history and examination suggest a functional or structural cause. When you need advanced Severe Constipation Treatment, Dr. Bhatt provides a compassionate, highly individualized approach to safely restore your digestive health. Contact our Broward County offices to book an urgent consultation and start your path toward healing today.
Seek prompt medical attention if constipation is accompanied by severe or constant abdominal pain, progressive abdominal swelling, repeated vomiting, fever, significant rectal bleeding, unexplained weight loss, or inability to pass gas. These symptoms can indicate a problem that requires urgent assessment rather than routine Constipation Relief measures at home.
Persistent bowel issues may initially be evaluated by your primary care physician or a gastroenterologist. However, if you are experiencing difficult evacuation, pelvic floor disorders, anorectal dysfunction, rectal prolapse, or recurrent fecal impaction, you need a higher level of specialized care. When your symptoms have not responded to routine medical management, it is crucial to consult a physician highly experienced in complex bowel function and anorectal disorders.
Finding the right Constipation Doctor can make all the difference in achieving a proper diagnosis and lasting comfort.
Dr. Astha Bhatt is a Board Certified General Surgeon and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons with over 15 years of dedicated medical experience. She completed a Fellowship Council-accredited program in advanced colon and rectal surgery, making her an expert in managing complex colorectal conditions. If you are frustrated by a lack of progress with your current care plan, you need an expert who personally evaluates your condition rather than handing you off to support staff.
Patients searching for a trusted chronic constipation specialist Broward County can confidently schedule a physician-led evaluation with Dr. Bhatt. Call our Fort Lauderdale or Pompano Beach office today to arrange your personalized appointment and regain control of your health.
For patients comparing a Constipation Doctor, gastroenterologist, or colorectal surgeon, the best choice depends on the symptoms and suspected cause. Persistent difficult evacuation or suspected structural disease often warrants specialized anorectal or colorectal evaluation.
The most common constipation symptoms are hard, dry, or lumpy stools; excessive straining; fewer bowel movements than usual; and the feeling that stool has not completely passed. Some patients describe a sensation of blockage in the rectum, prolonged time on the toilet, abdominal bloating, or the need to press around the anus, rectum, or vagina to help stool come out.
Constipation is not diagnosed by frequency alone. A person may have daily bowel movements but still be constipated if evacuation is consistently difficult, painful, or incomplete. Likewise, a person who naturally has bowel movements every two or three days without straining or discomfort may not have constipation.
Symptoms can sometimes provide clues about the underlying problem. Hard stool may point toward stool consistency or slow transit, while a strong urge to defecate combined with difficulty emptying may raise concern for pelvic-floor or outlet dysfunction. A careful history is therefore an important part of Constipation Diagnosis and Treatment.
Patients should seek medical evaluation when symptoms persist despite reasonable changes in fiber, hydration, activity, and appropriate over-the-counter treatment. A Constipation Specialist can determine whether further testing is needed. Rectal bleeding, unexplained weight loss, persistent abdominal pain, vomiting, fever, or inability to pass gas requires more prompt medical attention.
Finding the cause of constipation starts with a detailed medical history and physical examination. Dr. Bhatt reviews bowel frequency, stool form, straining, incomplete emptying, bloating, medication use, diet, prior abdominal or pelvic surgery, childbirth history, and whether manual assistance is needed to pass stool. This helps distinguish common constipation from possible slow-transit, pelvic-floor, anorectal, or structural problems.
Testing is individualized. Blood tests may be appropriate when a metabolic or medical cause is suspected. Colonoscopy is not required for every patient with constipation, but it may be recommended for age-appropriate colorectal cancer screening or when symptoms such as rectal bleeding, anemia, unexplained weight loss, or a concerning change in bowel habits require investigation. CT imaging may be used when obstruction or another abdominal condition is suspected.
For persistent difficult evacuation, anorectal manometry and balloon expulsion testing can evaluate rectal sensation, anal sphincter pressure, and coordination during attempted bowel movements. A Sitz marker or other colon-transit study may help determine how quickly stool moves through the colon. Defecography may be useful when a structural or pelvic-floor problem is suspected.
This stepwise approach supports accurate constipation diagnosis and treatment South Florida patients can understand and helps match treatment to the actual cause.
Chronic Constipation Treatment depends on why constipation is happening. There is no single treatment that is right for every patient. Initial care may include increasing dietary fiber when appropriate, adequate fluid intake, regular physical activity, establishing a consistent bowel routine, and reviewing medications that may contribute to constipation.
Over-the-counter options may include fiber supplements or osmotic laxatives. Some patients benefit from prescription medications that improve stool frequency or intestinal movement. When testing shows pelvic-floor dyssynergia or another evacuation disorder, pelvic-floor physical therapy and biofeedback may be more effective than repeatedly increasing laxatives because the problem involves muscle coordination rather than stool consistency alone.
Structural conditions such as selected cases of rectal prolapse, rectocele, or other forms of obstructed defecation require a different approach. Surgery is not the first treatment for most constipation and should be considered only after careful evaluation confirms a correctable structural problem or, in rare selected cases, severe slow-transit disease.
Dr. Astha Bhatt develops an individualized Constipation Treatment plan based on symptoms, examination, and appropriate testing. Dr. Astha Bhatt specializes in advanced Chronic Constipation Treatment and personally guides every step of your medical and surgical care. The goal is meaningful Constipation Relief while preserving bowel function and avoiding unnecessary procedures. Patients with persistent symptoms should be evaluated before escalating treatment on their own.
Anorectal manometry is generally well tolerated. Most patients feel pressure, fullness, or brief mild discomfort rather than significant pain. The test does not require an incision and usually does not require sedation or general anesthesia.
During the study, a thin, lubricated flexible catheter with pressure sensors is gently placed into the rectum. The patient is then asked to perform simple maneuvers such as squeezing, relaxing, and bearing down as if having a bowel movement. A small balloon may be inflated in the rectum to measure sensation and certain reflexes. A balloon expulsion test may also be performed to assess how effectively the pelvic-floor muscles coordinate during evacuation.
The purpose is not simply to confirm “constipation.” Anorectal manometry provides information about rectal sensation, anal sphincter pressures, and coordination of the muscles involved in bowel emptying. These findings are interpreted together with the patient’s symptoms, examination, and other studies when needed.
For patients with persistent difficult evacuation, Constipation Diagnosis by a specialist doctor may help determine whether pelvic-floor dysfunction is contributing to symptoms. Most patients can return to their usual activities after the test. If you have significant rectal pain, active bleeding, or recent anorectal surgery, tell the physician before testing so the timing can be assessed appropriately.
Yes. Constipation can contribute to fecal or bowel incontinence in some patients. When a large amount of hard stool becomes retained in the rectum, softer or liquid stool may leak around the impacted stool. This is sometimes called overflow leakage and can be mistaken for diarrhea. Chronic straining and long-standing constipation may also contribute to weakening or dysfunction of the muscles and nerves involved in bowel control.
However, constipation is only one possible cause of bowel leakage. Fecal incontinence may also result from diarrhea, anal sphincter injury, pelvic-floor weakness, nerve problems, prior anorectal surgery, rectal prolapse, or other medical conditions. Because the causes are different, Bowel Incontinence Treatment should begin with an evaluation rather than assuming that every episode of leakage is caused by constipation.
The assessment may include a bowel history, examination, stool-pattern review, and selected tests such as anorectal manometry, endoanal ultrasound, or defecography depending on the suspected problem.
Patients searching for doctors who treat bowel incontinence South Florida should look for a clinician experienced in both bowel function and anorectal disorders. Dr. Astha Bhatt evaluates constipation and fecal leakage together when symptoms overlap, allowing Fecal Incontinence Treatment to be directed at the underlying cause rather than the leakage alone.
Schedule a Consultation With Dr. Bhatt? Call (954) 388-0860
How Dr. Bhatt Approaches Constipation Diagnosis & Treatment
Chronic constipation is often caused by a combination of factors, including low water intake, a sedentary lifestyle, side effects from medications, or underlying structural and gastrointestinal issues. When home remedies—like increasing fiber, hydration, and over-the-counter laxatives—fail to provide Constipation Relief, medical intervention becomes necessary. The objective of treatment is not simply to make a patient have more bowel movements.
As a dedicated restore bowel function specialist doctor, Dr. Bhatt utilizes a stepped approach to treatment:
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Step 1: Diagnostic Discovery. We begin with advanced diagnostics, such as Anorectal Manometry or Endorectal Ultrasounds, to evaluate the strength and coordination of your anal and rectal sphincter muscles.
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Step 2: Conservative & Medical Management. Treatment often begins with tailored lifestyle adjustments, prescription medications, pelvic floor physical therapy, or biofeedback to retrain the pelvic muscles.
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Step 3: Neuromodulation Therapy. For patients suffering from severe bowel incontinence or specific functional blockages, sacral nerve stimulators (like Axonics® or Medtronic InterStim) are highly effective at restoring normal brain-to-bowel communication.
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Step 4: Minimally Invasive Surgical Intervention. If structural issues such as severe strictures or rectal prolapse are the root cause, Dr. Bhatt offers advanced robotic interventions to safely repair the anatomy and provide long-term relief.
Bring your previous colonoscopy, CT or MRI reports, medication list and records of prior constipation treatment. Reviewing these before or during your consultation can make the evaluation more focused.
When appropriate, Dr. Bhatt can coordinate care with your primary-care physician, gastroenterologist, pelvic-floor physical therapist or other specialists involved in your treatment.
Patients with persistent straining, incomplete evacuation or selected bowel-control symptoms can be evaluated to determine whether anorectal manometry or other bowel-function testing is appropriate.
Same-week appointments may be available for patients experiencing severe or persistent constipation, difficult evacuation, recurrent impaction or bowel-control concerns.
The practice works with many commercial insurance plans as well as Medicare, Medicaid and self-pay options. Call our office at (954) 388-0860 or book online to verify your benefits and schedule a appointment.
