How can you determine that you are suffering from constipation? Chances are that some people do not realize they have this gut problem until it gets chronic. Constipation – a problem of gut health, is caused by changes in routines of life. It is a situation in which one gets as few as only three bowel movements in a week; which are hard, dry and causing pain. If not taken care of this condition may get worse with time.
When I was in my early thirties I experienced constipation for the first time. It was mainly due to change in environment and diet. At that time I had not heard much talk about gut health matters. Issues of gut health were not popular to me, so I did not relate constipation with the problem of gut health.
A visit to the doctor led him to suggest I do a colonoscopy test. It was my first time to hear of that term. Usually main cause of Constipation is that resulting from diets that lack in fiber and roughage. It wasn’t until later that I realized I had been negligent about healthy eating.
Annual physical checks are ideally recommended for keeping health in check. However, for younger ages and into the 40’s most people are still energetic and without many health issues. They don’t have any health symptoms requiring attention for physical checks.
On many accounts the gut determines the status of one’s health. Many times we assume that everyone knows the requirements of healthy diets but it’s not obviously so. “We are what we feed on”, as the saying goes. I guess we should add, “how much or little we exercise too”
Constipation is a common problem that distresses people of all ages. It may indicate that you are unable to hollow your bowels completely. Constipation can also cause solid, lumpy large, or mall stools. Constipation can be a temporary (severe) problem for some people.
Still, it can also be a chronic condition that causes severe pain and suffering and affects the quality of life for some. It is a condition in which bowel movements are constantly declining, and feces are challenging to pass. Changes in lifestyle, as well as a lack fibre, are the most common causes.
How common is Constipation?
Whatever your bowel pattern is, one thing is sure: the longer you wait for it to “go off,” the harder it is to pass stool. Other factors commonly associated with Constipation include:
- Your feces are firm and
- Flushing your bowels is not easy, and defecation is dif
- You get the feeling that your bowels are not fully emptied.
If you experience severe symptoms, you should contact your doctor. Please read on for a further discussion about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of Constipation.
People Prone to Constipation
Causes of Constipation
Meds Causing Constipation
If you suffer Constipation, you are not alone. In the United States, Constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders. However, Constipation affects people of all ages, and some circumstances are more likely to make you routinely constipated. These are some of them:
- Older adults are less energetic, have slower digestion, and have weaker muscle reduction strength in their gastric tract than earlier people.
- Being a woman, especially during pregnancy and after childbirth, it occurs.
- Hormonal changes in women make them more prone to constipation
- The intestines are squished by the baby in the womb impeding stool movement.
- You’re not getting enough high-fibre meals in your foods. High fibre help keep food moving through the digestive tract.
- The use of certain prescription drugs may induce the condition.
- Having certain neurological and digestive illnesses (diseases of the brain and spinal cord).
Constipation occurs when your colon absorbs most of the wastewater (sewage/feces), making the feces dry and dif cult to remove from your body. Getting to the cause of the problem is not always easy. However, a variety of factors play a role in illness, including:
- Fibre-rich foods, such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, are not eaten in moderation.
- A shift in your routine or way of life
- Avoiding the urge to urinate
- Certain drugs’ side effects
- Not getting enough liquids
- Depression or anxiety
Constipation in children might be caused by a poor diet, a fear of using the bathroom, or issues with toilet training.
A variety of medications can cause Constipation. Find help from your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about meds causing constipation like strong pain relievers such as:
- codeine-based drugs, oxycodone, and hydromorphone, could be a cause.
- Ibuprofen and Naproxen
- Iron
- Blood pressure medications
- Clozapine and Olanzapine
- Anticonvulsant and seizure drugs such as phenytoin and gabapentin fall in the same class
Anti-nausea drugs, such as ondansetron, also trigger Constipation
Signs and symptoms of Constipation
Treatment of Constipation
Constipation can cause the following symptoms:
- You only have three bowel movements every week.
- Your stools are lumpy, dry, and
- It’s challenging or painful for you to pass
- You’re experiencing stomach pains or
- You’re bloated and sick to your
- After a bowel movement, you have the impression that you haven’t entirely emptied your bowels.
Constipation is often treated with dietary changes and lifestyle as the first line of defense. Gradually increase your fibre consumption, ensuring adequate water supply and improving physical activity.
If this does not work, your pharmacist may recommend that you take an oral laxative to help you clear your bowels.
Treatment of Constipation is adequate, although it may take several months to restore standard bowel patterns in some cases.
Self-care:
You can treat moderate to severe Constipation at home in most cases. Self- care begins with reviewing what you eat and drink, followed by modification. Some suggestions to help you get rid of Constipation:
- Drink water as much as you can. Avoid beverages that contain caffeine and alcohol.
- Increase fruits and vegetable intake
- Be aware of which foods cause. constipation
- Exercise and move.
- Position yourself well on the toilet. Getting rid of the bowels may be easier if you lift your legs, lean back, or squat.
- Add to your diet an over-the-counter fibre.
- Take moderate or discarded sewage or Magnesia Milk if necessary.
- Other methods include an enema of mineral oil such as Fleet and stimulant laxatives such as senna.
- Maintain a routine (a location and time of day) for when you can spend time on the toilet. Don’t hesitate to act on your bowel’s natural pattern. Act quickly to go to the bathroom when you feel the urge.
Surgery:
The decision for surgery is best discussed when other tests have been completed. For example, you may need surgery if cancer has been discovered in your colon, rectum, or anus.
Natural Remedies for Constipation
As the first line of defence, Constipation is frequently treated with dietary and lifestyle changes. In many cases, this will help alleviate the symptoms without using the medicine.
For Immediate constipation relief for adults, the following are some self-help approaches for relieving Constipation:
- Consume a well-balanced, fibre-rich Vegetables, legumes, fruits, whole-grain cereals, and bread are all excellent sources of fibre. Consuming enough fibre and water will aid stool passage in the colon. The covering of fruits, such as apples, contains the most fibre. Most roughage is found in fruits with edible seeds, such as strawberries. Bran includes a lot of fibre. Consume and incorporate it into other dishes such as soup and yoghurt
- Increase your daily fibre. Aim for at least 18-30 grams of fibre every day. Fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as grains, are high in fibre.
Bulking agents, such as wheat bran, should be included in your diet. Taking these will help to soften and make your stools easier to pass.
Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. Insoluble fibres are natural stool softeners.
Constipation treatment is active, albeit it may take several months to re- establish a fixed bowel pattern in some
- (Some people get Constipation as a result of drinking milk.) Caffeine-containing beverages, such as coffee and soft drinks may dehydrate you. You may have to cease consuming these products until your bowel movements are back to normal.
- Exercise
- Magnesium, a nutritional supplement, can help with mild constipation. (Before taking, see your doctor.)
- When you feel the need to move your bowels, do not wait any longer.
- If Constipation is giving you pain or discomfort, you should consider taking a pain reliever like Paracetamol. Always pay attention to the dose guidelines. It will help if you do not give children under 16 Asprin.
- Maintain a routine (a location and time of day) for when you can spend time on the Don’t hesitate to act on your bowel’s natural pattern. Act quickly to go to the bathroom when you feel the urge.
- When going to the bathroom, place your feet on a low stool. This position will make passing stools simpler.
- A natural pathic doctor may be able to suggest an alternative if the medication you’re taking is causing
Complications of constipation
Hemorrhoids can result from Constipation leading to (tears in the skin surrounding the anus) and anal fissures caused by firm stool stretching the sphincter muscle. Bleeding in the area may occur as a result of this. Rectal prolapse occurs when a little portion of the intestinal lining pulls out from the anal orifice due to straining. Constipation can also lead to impaction, which is more common in youngsters and the elderly. The hard refuse clogs up the intestine and rectum to the point where the colon’s regular pushing activity is insufficient to discharge the waste.
When should you seek expert help?
Constipation is usually not a significant problem that a pharmacist can manage. Your pharmacist may advise contacting your primary care physician’s office if necessary. Encourage children to eat their fibre to avoid Constipation. Children’s laxatives are frequently prescribed in conjunction with dietary and lifestyle adjustments. You may be able to manage Constipation on your own by implementing simple nutritional and lifestyle adjustments. You should consult your pharmacist if these modifications are ineffective and the problem persists. Consult your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:
- If you see any rectal bleeding, call your doctor right
- If you detect any unexplained weight loss, consult your
- You’re exhausted all the
- If Constipation persists for more than 14 days and hasn’t seen any relief, it’s time to seek medical
You may be able to manage Constipation on your own by implementing simple dietary and lifestyle adjustments. You should consult your pharmacist if these modifications are ineffective and the problem persists.