Constipation is a condition wherein bowel
movement is irregular or infrequent. The normal pattern of bowel movement is
different from person to person. While most people defecate once a day, some
people normally defecate twice or even three times a day, while others may move
their bowel only once every two, three, or even four days. Thus, a person who
normally defecates twice a day is said to be constipated if he moves his bowel
every two or three days a pattern that might be perfectly normal for another
person.
With
constipation stools are usually hard, dry, and difficult to eliminate. People
who are constipated often experience straining, and bloating. Most constipation
is temporary and not serious. Understanding its causes, prevention, and
treatment will help most people find relief.
Types of
Constipation:
Tagged: causes of constipation
Constipation is a condition wherein bowel
movement is irregular or infrequent. The normal pattern of bowel movement is
different from person to person. While most people defecate once a day, some
people normally defecate twice or even three times a day, while others may move
their bowel only once every two, three, or even four days. Thus, a person who
normally defecates twice a day is said to be constipated if he moves his bowel
every two or three days a pattern that might be perfectly normal for another
person.
With constipation
stools are usually hard, dry, and difficult to eliminate. People who are
constipated often experience straining, and bloating. Most constipation is
temporary and not serious. Understanding its causes, prevention, and treatment
will help most people find relief.
Types of
Constipation:
- Atonic constipation is the more
common type; it occurs when the diet lacks adequate fluids and fiber, when
the person has sedentary lifestyle and when the colon muscles are weak.
- Spastic (sometimes called Irritable
bowel syndrome) is characterized by irregular bowel movements. Spastic
constipation can be caused by stress, nervous disorders, excessive
smoking, irritating foods, and obstruction of the colon.
Causes of
Constipation:
- A diet low in fiber is the
most common cause of constipation.
- Lack of physical activity.
When you move your bowel will also move.
- Travelling may also cause
constipation. Long hours of sitting, changes in diet and less water and
changes in our daily routine can make us “irregular.” Make sure to bring
prunes and eat lots of pineapple when you travel.
- Constipation seems to also
occur if you are experiencing depression which slows the metabolism.
- Age is another factor in
constipation. The muscles you use to have a bowel movement can simply
become weaker with time, especially if you’ve been stressing and straining
them for a lifetime.
- Cheese can cause
constipation in some people.
- Hormonal disorder and
changes can also affect bowel movement, example hypothyroidism and
hyperthyroidism, menstrual periods and pregnancy can cause constipation.
- Dehydration. Not drinking at
least 8 glasses of pure water and drinking alcoholic and caffeinated
beverages can cause dehydration and constipation.
- Excessive use of laxative can also cause constipation because with continued use, the body becomes accustomed to the effects of the laxative, and if they stop taking it, the colon slows down and its contractions become very weak. This is called laxative dependency constipation, and it can be severe.
- Some medication, especially painkillers reduces peristalsis, the rhythmic muscle movements that push digested food through the bowel.
- When constipation occurs suddenly and become progressively worse, it is most likely caused by an underlying disease such as tumors of the large intestine and colitis.
- Drink 1-2 glasses of lukewarm water first thing in the morning. Lukewarm stimulate the intestine which will aid in the removal of its content.
- Get more exercise. Regular exercise stimulates the colon and keeps you regular. Brisk walk for 15 to 20 minutes three or four times a week can do the trick. Remember that moving your body will move your bowels!
- Magnesium can cause diarrhea, and thus can also be a remedy for constipation. This is particularly beneficial when pregnancy is the cause of constipation.
- Eat prunes. It appears that prunes increase the contractions of the intestines.
- Drinking 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar diluted in half glass of water 30minutes before meal can help increase the acid in the stomach which will help in normal bowel movement.
- Eat three meals per day at least 4 hours apart. Frequent feeding keeps your intestines contracting and moving stool along.
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol this will deplete your body’s stores of water. If you can’t avoid these, then match your caffeinated or alcoholic beverage intake with an equal amount of water.
- Psyllium powder. It’s made from a fibrous plant that can help give your stools more bulk. It’s very important to drink plenty of fluids when you’re using a bulk-forming laxative such as psyllium.
- Senna is another plant laxative. It is a strong bowel stimulating laxative that has been used for centuries.
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