Constipation is a condition when there is a
difficulty in passing stool. It is either that the bowel movements are too hard
to pass, or that the passing is too infrequent (once in 2 or 3 days). The stool
is most often hard and lacks water content. Sometimes, it may be a lack of
urge, or an ineffectual urge to pass stools. At other times, after passing
stool, there may be a sensation of incomplete stools. Broadly, all of these can
be termed constipation. Many factors can cause constipation. The most common cause
nowadays is modern lifestyle itself, which prevents people from eating enough
food and drinking enough water. Another related problem is the lack of
sufficient exercise in people’s lives. Emotional and psychological problems and
eating too much of meat or dairy products compound to this. Other major causes
include the chronic abuse of laxatives, pregnancy, the use of certain drugs
like antacids, iron, calcium, blood pressure medications, certain digestive
tract disease. some cases of constipation also develop in bottle-fed babies as
well as some school-going
children who, being shy to tell the teacher
when they have the urge to pass stool, later develops a habit of ignoring the
urge.
Symptoms
The major symptom is indeed the inability to
pass stool or the terrible infrequency of bowel movements. Constipation entails
hard stool and this makes it difficult for the rectum to expel feces from it.
It thus makes the evacuation of feces a painful affair. Although constipation
can cause blood in stool, it could also suggest fissure, fistula, or piles.
Do’s and Don’ts
Alterations in your diet and lifestyle alone
can chart the course of prevention of and recovery from constipation. A
high-fibre diet with regular infusion consumption of raw food is recommended.
Lack of fibre content in your food can cause indigestion and in turn,
constipation. Lots of fibre can be obtained from peas, beans, potatoes, raw
vegetables, dried fruits and fresh fruits. Although taking bran is good for
proper motions, you should not rely on bran as a long-term cure. As important
as food is water. Your water intake should be constantly high. The occurrence of
constipation depends not just on what you eat but also on how you eat what you
eat. You should always chew your food well and should never be in a hurry while
eating. Doing regular exercises can help condition
your stomach and back muscles and this will improve bowel movement. So does the
practicing of yoga regularly. It is also important to not suppress the urge to
pass stools, however dire the situation may be. Make passing stool a regular
habit; a priority in your daily routine. Make it a point to sit in the toilet
every day at the same time for about 10 minutes, preferably after a meal, even
if you do not have an urge to move your bowels at that time being. This,
although time-consuming, will surely work. While constipation can be extremely
irritating, one should avoid taking regular laxatives. Consulting a doctor is
recommended if you have a fever and abdominal pain accompanying constipation,
or when there is blood in your stool. Also, if constipation starts after taking
a new treatment, you would do well to check with your doctor once more.
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