Are you constipated? This question is a personal one and is very intimidating for people suffering from constipation. But it is essential to discuss this topic with your loved one and your healthcare practitioner as it is a problem that needs to be solved to prevent further complications.
What is Constipation?
The inability to clear one?s bowels frequently (normal frequency ranges from 3 times/day to 3 times/week) or passing hard, dry and difficult stools is termed as constipation.? People suffering from constipation may also have associated bloating, pain and an unsatisfactory feeling of not being able to void completely.
Why should I be concerned if I am constipated?
It is simple to understand if we consider this concept. If there is an input, there must be an output.? Whatever food intake is done the digestive system ideally digests the food and takes up essential nutrients and the requisite water. The remaining bye product is expelled as stools. When there is too much absorption of water the stools become dry, hard and difficult to expel.
We should be concerned about constipation because if left ignored other complications may arise. They are:
- Hemorrhoids or Piles
- Anal Fissures
- Impaction of stool
?Why am I constipated?
There are several reasons as to why constipation sets it. The cause might be very simple or some difficult condition that might need treatment.
- Low Fiber Diet is a very common cause of constipation. A Diet containing high amounts of fried food, sugars, excessive dairy products, and frozen foods are the main culprits of constipation.
- Another main reason for constipation is lack of adequate water intake. A lot many of us don?t feel thirsty and avoid drinking sufficient water that is required to smoothen passage of stools.
- Too much consumption of coffee or caffeinated drinks causes constipation. Drinking coffee activates the digestive system; however drinking more coffee makes you feel dehydrated.
- Lack of Exercise leads to constipation because exercise boosts one?s metabolism and thereby enhances the digestive functions.
- Certain medications can cause constipation such as certain painkillers, psychiatric medication, hypertensive medication, diuretics, antacids and dietary supplements containing Iron and Calcium.
- Holding in the stool in the lookout for the appropriate place can cause constipation. This happens because the signal telling us about the need to pass stools gets weakened since we try to hold on.
- Certain medical illnesses can be the reason of constipation. These are Hypothyroidism, Diabetes, Depression, Parkinsonism, Gut diseases (celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease, colon cancer)Autoimmune and neurogenerative diseases.
- During Pregnancy many women are constipated due to the hormonal changes that occur.
- Aging is another factor for constipation. This is because the older we grow the slower our metabolism gets.
- Also, overuse of laxatives may lead to constipation.
?What can I do about my constipation?
Treating the root cause of the problem is the best solution. Finding out the cause is crucial. Certain changes can be followed to improve constipation.
- Eating Diet high in fiber. The minimum requirement of daily fiber is 25-30gms. Fiber-rich foods are Dry fruits, Flax seeds, Chia seeds, Fruits and vegetables such as Figs and Squash.
- Drinking plenty of water will ease the passage of stools.
- Reduce the intake of coffee. Instead, eat a fruit or drink an unfiltered fruit juice (filtering removes the fiber content of the fruit).
- Exercising daily will improve your bowel movements. Also, certain Yoga poses help relieve constipation.
- This might sound bizarre but an Indian Lavatory is better to use as compared to the Western. This is because our anal sphincters relax better to expel the waste in that position rather than the sitting position. If you use a Western lavatory, usage of a footstool will help.
Treating the condition
In Homoeopathy the product Doliosis D31 Constipation helps greatly in relieving constipation.? It is a natural, mild laxative that reduces bloating, gas and insufficient irregular elimination. There are no side effects upon the use of this medicine. This product can be taken with ease and also it can be consumed with other medicines, for all age groups.