Published on Oct 24, 2015 and last reviewed on Feb 06, 2023 - 5 min read
Abstract
Constipation is an infrequent or irregular evacuation of the bowels that can be best avoided or prevented naturally. Read the below article to know more.
Constipation is a digestive disorder that occurs due to the slowing down of the intestinal movements when the digestive tract cannot effectively eliminate the stools or waste products from the rectum, making the stool hard and dry. Even though this is a common condition among today's population due to a sedentary lifestyle and poor dietary choices, it is necessary to take healthy steps to prevent constipation.
Constipation reduces the quality of life of many people. The food residues remain in the colon, causing inflammation, gas, and discomfort.
The worst thing is that most people do not know how to prevent and treat constipation, which eventually results in the emergence of other digestive problems. Fortunately, constipation is generally easy to treat with changes in your lifestyle habits by adopting some measures to facilitate better digestion.
The common causes of constipation include:
The slow movement of stool inside the colon.
Insufficient quantities of fiber and water in meals.
Lifestyle changes.
Physical inactivity.
Holding stool for long periods, even in the presence of urge.
Drugs such as narcotics, antidepressants, antacids (especially those rich in calcium and aluminum), opioids, calcium channel blockers, iron tablets, antispasmodic, and anticholinergics.
Pelvic floor disorders.
Diseases like hypothyroidism, diabetes, celiac disease, colon cancer, Parkinson's disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, and diverticulitis.
Laxative Abuse:
Habitually using laxatives slowly causes addiction to these drugs.
The person may eventually require increasing amounts of laxatives to move the bowels.
In some instances, the bowel will become insensitive to laxatives, and the person will not have bowel movements even with laxatives.
Causes for constipation in infants include:
Dietary factors.
Congenital malformation.
Endocrine disorders.
Causes for constipation in elders include:
Dietary factors.
Functional constipation.
Psychosocial factors.
The symptoms of constipation may include:
Less than three bowel movements a week.
Stools become dry, hard, and lumpy.
Difficulty in passing stools.
Pain while passing stools.
Stomach ache or cramps.
Feeling bloated and nauseous.
A sensation of still wanting to pass stool despite your bowel being empty.
Constipation is more concerning when there is:
Weight loss or anemia.
A history of inflammatory bowel disease.
Family history of colon cancer.
New-onset constipation in older family individuals.
Eat a simple and natural plant-based diet such as whole-grain cereals, leafy greens, fresh fruits, and dry fruits, like:
Mango.
Grapes.
Papaya.
Tomatoes.
Cucumber.
Pears.
Guava.
Gooseberry.
Fig.
Apple.
Raisins.
Even though fibrous fruits and vegetables are good in general, a highly fibrous diet may worsen the issue, especially when the underlying reason for constipation is intestinal blockage or inflammation of the jejunum (a part of the small intestine).
Chew the food properly and avoid drinking water while eating.
Eat less fatty, oily, greasy foods and meat. Restrict tea, coffee, and sweet foodstuff, including sweetened carbonated beverages or packaged juices.
Including fiber-rich foods, especially soluble and non-fermentable fiber can help treat constipation. Many doctors often advise people to increase their dietary fiber intake. This is because the increasing fiber in the diet can increase the bulk and consistency of the stools, making them easier to pass through the digestive system more quickly. In a study, it has been found that 77 % of people with chronic constipation benefited from more fiber intake. But, in some studies, it has been found that increasing the fiber intake can sometimes make the problem worse. Dietary fiber can improve stool frequency, but it may not help with other symptoms of constipation, like pain, stool consistency, bloating, and gas. The different types of dietary fibers are insoluble fibers and soluble fibers.
Insoluble Fibers: They will be present in wheat bran, vegetables, and whole grains. These can add bulk to stools and may help them pass it more quickly and easily through the digestive system.
Soluble Fibers: They will be present in barley, oat bran, nuts, beans, seeds, lentils, peas, and some fruits and vegetables. Soluble fibers can absorb water and form a gel-like paste, which helps to soften the stools and improve their consistency. Insoluble fiber can worsen the functional bowel movements in people with IBS (irritable bowel disease) or chronic idiopathic constipation. The daily recommended dietary fiber intake is 25 grams (g) for females and 38 grams (g) for males.
It is crucial to drink more water, at least 8 -10 glasses of water daily unless advised by your physician otherwise. Being dehydrated often can cause constipation in a person. To prevent this, a person must drink enough water and stay hydrated.Some people might find relief from constipation by drinking carbonated (sparkling) water. This can be effective in people with dyspepsia, indigestion, and people with chronic idiopathic constipation. But drinking carbonated drinks like sugary soda can have harmful effects and may make constipation worse. A few people with IBS find that carbonated drinks may worsen their symptoms, so they should avoid sparkling water and other carbonated beverages.
Exercising daily for at least 30 to 45 minutes can help cure constipation. Brisk walking is the best and safest exercise. People working from home or whose work does not involve intense physical activity should take regular breaks from their work and walk around a little for about 5 minutes or so, free themselves, and then resume work.
Consuming coffee can enhance the urge to go to the bathroom in some people because coffee can help to stimulate the muscles in the digestive system. Coffee may also contain small amounts of soluble fibers that help prevent constipation by improving the balance of gut bacteria. The bowel-stimulating properties of caffeine may be more effective in people with IBS, making digestive symptoms worse. Therefore, people with IBS should avoid caffeine from their diet to see if it helps.
Doing abdominal massage, either by yourself or by a trained masseuse, helps tone the abdominal muscles and facilitate intestinal peristalsis, thereby aiding empty bowels.
Sitting in Vajrasana post meals or dinner aids digestion and, in the process, helps get over the constipation issue too.
Avoid frequent use of purgatives or laxatives. Use them only when needed.
Last but not least, you must reduce mental stress and strain and do relaxation exercises, like yoga and meditation, daily.
Constipation can be naturally relieved by-
- Dietary modifications like eating a simple plant-based natural diet. Diet rich in whole grains, fruits, dry fruits, and vegetables.
- Avoiding oily and greasy foods.
- Daily exercising.
- Abdominal massages.
- Avoiding frequent use of laxatives.
Bowel movements can be increased by-
- Drinking more water.
- Eating fruits, vegetables, nuts, and grains.
- Adding fiber-rich foods to the diet.
- Changing bathroom posture.
- Regular exercising.
- Keeping bowel movements scheduled.
White bread, rice, and pasta are examples of processed grains and goods that are lower in fiber and may cause greater constipation than whole grains.
A person has to see a doctor if they consume adequate water yet still have constipation. This is because they may be suffering from an underlying condition like gastroparesis or IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). Some illnesses can also cause constipation, including hypothyroidism, diabetes, and colon cancer.
Dates, figs, prunes, apricots, and raisins are just a few examples of dried fruits that are a fantastic source of dietary fiber that helps constipation. For example, prunes are great because they have sorbitol, a natural laxative, in addition to being high in fiber.
Dehydration and constipation can be prevented by drinking enough water and other drinks. One should also consume water and other liquids like naturally sweetened fruit, vegetable juices, and clear soups to improve fiber function. The adjustment should soften and ease the passage of stools.
Some might believe that eating less will "clean out" the colon. That is not true. Consuming fiber-rich whole meals that are healthy and nutritious helps the body move stools.
Drinking a glass of hot water instead of cold or warm water speeds up the digestion of food. By encouraging regular bowel movements, it lowers the chance of constipation.
Although sleeping in the fetal position with the knees tucked in may seem pleasant, it may not do anything to help with constipation. One must ensure that the knees are not too near to the chest. The environment should be as relaxed as possible.
Magnesium aids in raising the water content of the intestines, which can facilitate bowel motions. Due to these qualities, it can be used as a laxative or supplement for magnesium shortage.
Severe constipation is having difficult-to-pass, dry, firm, and lumpy stools. It requires bending over to pass a stool, feeling like there is a blockage in the rectum or intestines after a bowel movement, as if the bowels have not completely emptied.
When feces are difficult to pass, and bowel movements become less frequent, constipation occurs. The most prevalent causes are dietary or routine adjustments, an inadequate intake of fiber, or both. Consult a physician if you experience severe pain, blood in your stools, or constipation that lasts for more than three weeks.
Constipation typically happens when stools sit in the colon (large intestine) for too long, absorbing too much water, which makes the stools stiff and dry.
Medications that cause constipation include-
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
- Blood pressure medications.
- Iron supplements.
- Urinary incontinence medications.
- Opioid pain relievers.
- Antihistamines.
- Anti-nausea medications.
- Tricyclic antidepressants.
Last reviewed at:
06 Feb 2023 - 5 min read
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Naturopathy
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