Constipation and its Treatment
By: Mark MonteiroTotal Views: 333, Word Count: 612,
Constipation is caused when one experiences difficulty in bowel movements or if the movements are restricted. A person tends to feel heavy and bloated with constipation.
Any one can suffer from constipation at any age. From adults to babies anyone can get constipated when one experiences restricted bowel movements.
Symptoms of constipation-
You would immediately know that you have constipation if your stools are dry, very hard and small in size and if you have difficulty in eliminating the stools. This condition can be painful in nature, since one would feel that one would be able to move the stools out but cant. This condition also causes bloating, staining and cuts in the anus.
Reasons for constipation-
- Constipation is mainly caused due to the choice of food eaten. Some food items are difficult to digest as well as difficult to eliminate. Food contains substances which are tough for the digestive fluids to break down.
- Undigested food is passed on to the colon which absorbs water. Constipation mainly occurs when the colon fails to function in an efficient manner. Colon on some occasions is known to absorb excess water which makes the waste products too dry.
- Constipation also occurs when an individual indulges in less of physical activity. Lack of physical activity makes the colon contract slowly which in turn makes the stool hard.
- Lack of fibre in the diet also leads to constipation. Fibres function to aid in digestion by sweeping fats in the food. Fibres make the food easier to break down and digest.
- Abuse of laxatives and medications also affect digestion as they are both known to affect food processing. Dehydration or low water intake also causes constipation.
- Other factors such as physical and emotional stress cause constipation, since they cause malfunction to occur in the digestive process.
Treatment for constipation-
Eat fibre rich food to avoid constipation: One should include fibre and water in ones daily diet. You should increase your water intake and eat fruits and vegetables which are rich in fibre content. Fibre can be added in ones diet in the form of nuts, grains, green vegetables, seeds and fruits.
Chew food properly: Food should be chewed well into small pieces before swallowing. By chewing food properly you would in turn be facilitating digestion.
Cut down on fatty food items: One should reduce the intake of low fibre food items and fatty food items such as eggs, meat white flour, sweets, alcohol, refined sugars, fried foods, carbonated drinks, and cheese.
Laxatives to treat constipation: Laxatives enable easier bowel movements. Laxatives contain substances which work to break down bulk stools. Laxatives are available in different types such as bulk laxatives, stimulant laxatives, osmotic laxatives and lactulose.
Renounce strain: Anus muscles are known to contract with strain. Stress causes low muscle co-ordination which leads to constipation.
One should remember that constipation is not considered to be a disease. Constipation is regarded as a symptom to a disease in the digestive system. Constipation can be easily treated with proper food intake and a healthy diet.
About the Author
Dr. Mark Monteiro is graduated from the Hazard University and done his MBA from the he University Of Illinois College Of Medicine. Currently he is working as general physician at Elmhurst Loyola Center for Health. For over 15 years he has been a pioneer in the field of physician health. He has contributed to the treatment of many diseases like- ASTHMA, TUBERCULOSIS, HIV, HEPATITIS AND ITS TREATMENT.
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