All you need to know about constipation information and resources

Constipation is the passing of dry, hard faeces fewer than three times a week. Individuals who have constipation may find it painful and difficult to have a bowel movement, also other symptoms include feeling sluggishness, bloated and uncomfortable. Constipation is a common ailment and everybody will suffer from it at least once within their life. It is more common in women over the age of sixty five and pregnant women it is common after childbirth and surgery.

Constipation occurs when too much water is absorbed in the colon or when the colon is sluggish and slow again causing too much water to be absorbed. Common causes of constipation are too little fibre in the diet, not consuming enough water, lack of exercise, medications, irritable bowel syndrome, changes in routine or life such as pregnancy, old age and travel, laxative abuse, ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement, specific diseases such a stroke, problems with the rectum and colon and problems with intestinal functions.

The most common cause of constipation is a diet high in eggs, cheese, meat, refined processed foods and low in fibre which is found in fruits, vegetables and wholegrain. The soft texture and bulk of fibre helps to form stools that are easier to pass then dry, hard ones.

Water and juice add fluid to the colon which makes bowel movement easier, caffeine containing beverages such as tea coffee and cola drinks and alcohol have a dehydrating effect which makes constipation worst. Individuals who have constipation should drink plenty of water and juices. Studies have shown that the lack of exercise makes constipation worst and anybody who has constipation is recommended to take regular exercise.

Medication such as anticonvulsants, pain medications, diuretics, antacids, iron supplements, blood pressure medications, antidepressants, antiparkinson medication and antispasmodics can all cause constipation.

Individuals who suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome have problems with their bowel movements one of these symptoms is constipation.

Changes in life can cause constipation, pregnant women get constipated because of hormonal changes and the elderly get constipated because the metabolism get slower in old age and muscle tone becomes depleted.

Abuse of laxatives can cause constipation, the colon nerve endings get damaged and cause problems with the colon’s natural ability to contract. The colon then begins to rely on laxatives to have a proper bowel movement. Ultimately, laxatives are also extremely dehydrating.

Individuals, who ignore the urge to have a bowel movement for one reason or another, can in fact cause constipation by training their body to stop feeling the urge to go.

There are specific diseases that can cause constipation such as neurological disorders, metabolic and endocrine disorders and systemic disorders. These disorders affect the organs system which can slow down the passage of stools through the colon. Scar tissue, tumours, intestinal obstructions, diverticulosis, colorectal stricture and cancer can all cause constipation by compressing, narrowing and squeezing the rectum.

Functional constipation occurs because of problems with the structure of the colon, children and adults both can get it but it is more common in women.

Constipation can cause problems for the body. An individual with constipation will no doubt strain to pass the hard stools when having a bowel movement, this straining can cause haemorriods and anal fissues. Straining can also cause a condition known as rectal prolapse, this is when a small amount of the intestinal lining is push out of the anal opening. Constipation may also cause a condition known as fecael impaction, this is when the hard stool is so impacted in the colon that normal pushing can not expel it and an enema is used to break up the stool and remove it.

When the bowel is clogged with faeces due to constipation, it provides an ideal environment for harmful bacteria and parasites to thrive. Poor bowel cleanness is the source for many disorders for the body, such as gall-bladder problems, varicose veins, heart disorders, arthritis, hiatus hernia, appendicitis, cancer of the colon, clotting in deep veins and diverticulitis. Intestinal toxaemia and autointoxication are cause directly from intestinal constipation. Constipation aids in the lowering of the body’s resistance, thus leading to many acute and chronic illnesses.

Intestinal constipation causes extra workload for the other excretory organs such as the lymph, skin, liver, kidneys and lungs by causing cellular constipation. This causes the functioning of these organs to become overworked and depleted. Repair and growth are delayed, the ability to eliminate waste products is limited and cellular metabolism becomes sluggish. The cells become dead and inactive, instead of active and alive, this process helps in the decline of organ and tissue functioning ability.

Constipation causes autointoxication, this is a process where the body literally toxicants itself by keeping decaying matter within the colon. The toxin that are released within the bowel, find their way into the bloodstream and from there around the body. This slowly affects every cell in the body and causes illnesses.

Points to remember about constipation are that it effect everybody one time or an other, the most common cause of constipation is poor diet and lack of exercise, other causes are specific diseases, abuse of laxatives, medication and IBS. To prevent constipation or relieve symptoms eat a well balance high fibre diet, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly and do not ignore the urge to have a bowel movement.

In conclusion, we will all suffer from a short bout of constipation form time to time in our life and by changing our diet and lifestyle these symptoms can be elevated. The problems come with long term constipation and the negative affects it has on the body and it’s ability to produce more problems with major illnesses. To improve the symptoms and therefore the general health of any individuals who has long term constipation, it would be wise to follow the dietary, lifestyle and natural treatments highlighted in this article. A clean bowel leads to a healthy body and when treating any patient with serious ailments, it would always be wise to question them about their bowel movements.

The simple way to cure constipation

Constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal complaints in the United States, resulting in about 2 million doctor visits annually. However, most people treat themselves without seeking medical help, as is evident from the millions of dollars people spend on laxatives each year. When compared to other diseases constipation is easily curable by adhering suitable dietary patterns. The hard and dry stools of constipation occur when the colon absorbs too much water or if the colon's muscle contractions are slow or sluggish, causing the stool to move through the colon too slowly.
There are numerous home remedies available for constipation. The truth behind the usage of home remedies in constipation condition is mainly with the available fiber content in the home remedial ingredients. Normally fruits are widely used to assist constipation. Fruits are made by nature and are a perfect food. They contain the right balance of nutrients with distilled water. You gain enormous benefits from eating fruits especially if you eat the outer skin and eat them without cooking. They are easy to digest and absorb and do not stress your colon.
Eat 3-4 apples a day to relieve constipation. It does not matter what type of apple you eat, but I like gala or Fuji apples since they are small and crisp. It is best to use fresh organic apples when eating apples as a snack since you will not know what pesticides were used in growing the apples. If apples are not organic, it is better to peel the apple before eating. In addition to dietary changes and stool softeners, many patients with constipation need a 'clean out' regimen to help get backed up stool out. We should not have to frequently use enemas or laxatives to help your patient have a BM.While there are some medical causes of constipation, such as Hirschsprung's disease, cystic fibrosis and hypothyroidism, most patients who are constipated are normal.
Dried apple slices are also a good source of fiber. However, when the slices are dehydrated most nutrients are lost but fiber is retained. Sulfur dioxide is typically used to dry apple slices and this can cause allergic or asthmatic reactions in some people. I do not recommend using dried apple slices in place of fresh organic apples. Using baked apples also helps to clear constipation. Eat one baked apple at night, right before bedtime, and one just upon rising. Do this until you constipation is cleared.
Mulberry juice has many health benefits. It is good for digestive tract illnesses. It can stimulate digestion and assimilation of nutrients in the small intestine. It is useful for older people for reliving constipation. Mulberry contains many minerals and vitamins. Boysenberry juice has a gentle natural laxative action on your bowel. When your constipation is mild, this juice will help move things in your colon.
Visit http://www.natural-treatment-guide.com/constipation/natural-remedy-for-chronic-constipation.html or http://www.natural-treatment-guide.com/constipation/chronic-constipation-symptoms.html for more information on constipation remedy.

Constipation therapy and treatments

If you're suffering from constipation, you are no doubt looking for some answers to bring relief. Treatments for constipation vary with the type of constipation from which you're suffering. Most people do not know that they should have 1 bowel movement for each meal they eat. At a minimum people should have two bowel movements daily.

If you experience constipation for more than 1 week, you should consult your healthcare provider to determine the cause of your problem. Most people are suffering as a result of lifestyle changes and choices. For some people, though, constipation can signal a more serious problem such as a bowel obstruction or even colon cancer. If your bowel movements smell foul it is your body giving you a warning signal! Listen to your body.

If you're diagnosed with a bowel obstruction, you and your physician will have to make a decision about appropriate treatment. If you're suffering from constipation as a result of lifestyle, there are several treatment options for you.

Changing your diet. People who have chronic constipation will almost certainly need a change in diet. Increasing the amount of fiber in the diet can help relieve chronic problems with constipation. Eating raw fruits and vegetables, brown wild rice, flaxseeds, bran and whole grain cereals will provide a good source of fiber.

Adding exercise. It's also important to increase the amount of activity you're getting. Starting an exercise program can help regulate your bowels. Exercise can be as simple as taking a brisk 20 minute walk every morning of evening.

Keeping your body hydrated. People who suffer from constipation are often dehydrated. Make sure to drink 6-8 glasses of purified water each day. Avoid tap water! Tap water can contain harmful chemicals, viruses and bacteria. I recommend adding raw organic apple cider vinegar to the water you drink. Organic apple cider vinegar has been used for centuries as a remedy for all sorts of health problems.

Check your medications. Many medications are the cause of constipation. Check with your healthcare provider to make sure that you're not making your problem worse with prescriptions. Be aware that there are natural alternatives available if you know where to find them. A good source of information and high tech natural alternatives to prescription drugs and surgery can be found at www.ghchealth.com

Be wary of laxatives. Try to avoid over-the-counter laxatives. They are often very harsh on the large intestine and overuse can actually cause more problems with constipation. Laxatives can cause serious health problems such as diarrhea, bloating, dehydration and damage to the intestinal lining.

Herbal remedies. Many herbal supplements are designed to aid in constipation. If you decide to try an herbal remedy, make sure that you talk with your physician first. Some herbal remedies interfere with prescription medications you may be taking. We suggest the following: Pure aloe vera, ginger, senna, yerba mate. The best is a concentrated green formula such as “Perfect Food OM" manufactured by Garden of Life.

Improve your bowel habits. Try to go the bathroom at the same time every day, after meals and as soon as you feel the urge. Give yourself enough time to go to the bathroom. Never, Never hold in a bowel movement.

Cleanse the colon weekly. It may be a good idea to begin a colon-cleansing program every week that will help remove impacted feces from the large intestine. It's best to participate in a program, such as using oxygen colon cleansers such as “Oxy-Powder", that is non-invasive and will not remove the good bacteria in the large intestine. Oxy-Powder will also deliver oxygen into your system. This is the secret used by the stars in Hollywood.

It's always best to seek the advice of a healthcare professional before beginning any treatment option. Everyone's body is a little different. You'll want to make sure that your treatment choice is safe and will be effective for your body.


A prolific author, Dr. Edward Group has written seven books and dozens of articles on subjects such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, ultimate health, constipation, pain relief and more... In addition he is editor of the worldwide Internet monthly newsletter Alternative Health and Healing.
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