WHAT IS CONSTIPATION?

Constipation is a condition in which a person has fewer than three bowel movements a week or has bowel movements with stools that are hard, dry, and small, making them painful or difficult to pass. People may feel bloated or have pain in their abdomen- the area between the chest and hips. Some people think they are constipated if they do not have a bowel movement every day. Bowel movement may occur three times a day or three times a week, depending on the person.

Most people get constipated at some point in their lives. Constipation can be acute, meaning it is sudden and lasts for a short period of time, even in several years. Mostly constipation is acute and not dangerous. Understanding the causes, prevention, and treatment of constipation can help many people take steps to find relief.

HOW COMMON IS CONSTIPATION AND WHO IS AFFECTED?

Constipation is one of the most common Gastrointestinal Problems in the United states, affecting an estimated 42 million people, or 15 percent of the population. People of any age, race, or gender can get constipated.

Those reporting constipation most often are women, adults aged 65 and older, non-Caucasians, and people in lower socioeconomic classes. Constipation is also a common problem during pregnancy, following childbirth or surgery, or after taking medication to relieve pain from things such as a broken bone, tooth extraction, or back pain. In 2004, 6.3 million outpatient visits were due to constipation and 5.3 million prescriptions for constipation medication were written.

WHAT CAUSES CONSTIPATION?

Constipation is caused by stool spending too much time in the colon. The colon absorbs too much water from the stool, making it hard and dry. In hard, dry stool, it is more difficult for the rectum muscles to push out the contents.

Common factors or disorders that lead to constipation are-

1- Diets low in fiber

The most common cause of constipation is a diet with too little fiber. Fiber is a substance in food that comes from plants. Fiber helps stool stay soft so it moves smoothly through the colon. Liquid such as water and juice help fiber to be more effective.

Older adults commonly do not get enough fiber in their diet. They may lose interest in eating because food doesn’t taste the same as it once did, they do not want to cook, or they have problems with chewing. These factors may lead an older adult to choose foods that are quick to make, such as fast food which is low in fiber. As it stands now in this time many Ayurvedic medicine and herbal products are useful and shown effective over time. 

2- Lack of physical activity 

A lack of physical activity can lead to constipation, although scientists do not know why. For example, constipation often occurs after an accident or during an illness when a person has to stay in bed and cannot exercise. 

3- Medications

Medications that can cause constipation include

• Pain medication, especially narcotics 
• Antacids that contain aluminium and calcium 
• Calcium channel blockers, which are used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease.
• Medication that treats Parkinson’s disease- a disorder that affects nerve cells in a part of the brain that controls muscle movement-because this medication also affect the nerves in the colon wall
• Antispasmodics-medication that prevent sudden muscle contraction 
• Some antidepressants
• Iron supplement 
• Diuretics are medications that remove fluid from the body through the kidneys 
• Anticonvulsants- medication that decreases abnormal electrical activity in the brain to prevent seizures

4- Life changes or Daily routine changes

During pregnancy, women may be constipated because of hormonal changes or because the uterus compresses the intestine. A gain can affect bowel regularity because a gradual loss of nerves stimulates the muscle in the colon, which results in less intestinal activity. To counter that there are some ways like organic and herbal supplements which may help regain the desire to have the food again.

People can also become constipated while traveling because their normal diet and daily routine are disrupted.

5- Ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement 

People who ignore the urge to have a bowel movement may eventually stop feeling the need to have one, which can lead to constipation.

Some people delay having a bowel movement because they do not want to use the toilet outside their home, particularly public restrooms, or they feel they are too busy.

6- Neurological and metabolic disorders

Certain neurological and metabolic disorders can cause food to pass through the digestive system too slowly, leading to constipation. Neurological disorders, such as spinal cord injury and Parkinsonism, affect the brain and spine 

Metabolic disorders, such as diabetes and hypothyroidism, disrupt the process that the body uses to get energy from food, which can cause many of the body functions to slow down.

7- GI tract problems

Some problems in the GI tract can compress or narrow the colon and rectum, causing constipation. This problem includes-

• Adhesions –  bands of tissues that can connect the loop of the intestines, which may block food or stool from moving through the GI tract 
• Diverticulosis –  a condition that occurs when small pouches, or sacs form and push outward through weak spots in the colon wall; the pouches are called diverticula.
• Colon polyps – growths on the surface of the colon that can be raised or flat
• Tumors– abnormal masses of tissues that results when cells divide more than they should or do not die when they should
• Celiac disease- It is an immune response to gluten, a protein in wheat, rye and barley that damages the lining of the small intestine.

HOW IS CONSTIPATION TREATED?

Treatment for constipation depends on the cause, severity, and duration of constipation and may include one or more of the following:

Eating, diet, and nutrition 

The academy of nutrition and dieticians recommends consuming 20 or 35 grams of fiber a day for adults, if not possible for everyone they can use the herbal supplement which is recommended by doctors. People often eat too many refined and processed foods from which the natural fiber has been removed 

A health care provider can help plan a diet with the appropriate amount of fiber and in case if they are on the go somewhere or else they have some urgent work then there are many health care supplements to cover for this moment.

Exercise and lifestyle changes

Engaging in daily exercise can help with constipation. Another strategy is to try to have a bowel movement at the same time each day. The best time is 15 to 45 minutes, limited after breakfast since eating stimulates the colon.

People with constipation should reserve enough time to have a bowel movement and be sure not to ignore the urge to have a bowel movement.

COMPLICATION 

Hemorrhoids are swollen and inflamed vines around the armor in the lower rectum that can be caused by straining the bowler movement.

Fissures in the snus can cause itching, bleeding, or pain. 

Rectal prolapse can be caused by straining during bowel movements.