Constipation is a particularly common physiological condition in modern man. According to statistics, every fourth person in our country suffers from constipation and the accompanying health problems – gas, hemorrhoids, obesity, varicose veins, etc. In America, the figure is 4 million!
Constipation can also be a cause of bad breath, coated tongue, fatigue, impaired absorption of substances in the intestine, colon cancer. In severe constipation (constipation) autointoxication of the body leads to stress on the liver and metabolism, as well as skin problems.
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Constipation
Any difficult defecation at intervals of more than three days is considered constipation. The stools are dry, hard, small in volume. The abdomen swells, there may be pain during defecation.
Causes of constipation
Causes of constipation can be insufficient fiber intake with food, sedentary lifestyle, travel, dehydration, taking certain medications – diuretics, calcium antagonists, antidepressants, opiates. Another cause of constipation can be weakness of the neuromuscular system, abdominal press and diaphragm, as well as some malignant intestinal diseases, anal fissure, rectal prolapse and others. Slow bowel movements may be caused by hyper- or hypofunction of the thyroid gland, hypercalcaemia, hypokalaemia, pregnancy; some neurological and psychiatric diseases.
In most cases, when there is no other physiological cause, constipation is due to insufficient fiber and fluid in the food consumed. The modern culture of nutrition, imposed by the dynamic lifestyle and lack of time for a complete and healthy diet, forces people to consume processed, canned and synthetic food, ie. with insufficient fiber.
Treatment of constipation
Although treatment depends on the specific case and its complexity, in most cases constipation is treatable by changing the diet and lifestyle in general. It is carried out through the use of laxatives (laxatives), which are divided into four groups.
- Mineral oils and docusate sodium – soften stools, but frequent use is not recommended. Docusate sodium may increase the toxicity of other concomitant medications and endanger the liver.
- Preparations containing salts and carbohydrates – lactulose, sorbitol, magnesium sulfate. They extract water in the colon and thus stimulate defecation. Not recommended for regular use as they lead to addiction.
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Preparations that stimulate peristalsis – bisacodyl, cassanthranol, castor oil, phenolphthalein. With regular use, they damage the intestinal walls and lead to addiction. Their action is often accompanied by gas and pain in the stomach and intestines.
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Increase the volume of feces – Psyllium (Psyllium), bran, methylcellulose. They absorb water and increase the size of the stool.
Prevention
Constipation is usually easily treated with the use of osmotic agents or magnesium salts. Treatment must be accompanied by a change in diet, namely: increased intake of foods high in fiber (fruits, vegetables, cereals). The positive role of exercise in the prevention of chronic constipation has also been established.
Important to remember
- Constipation affects almost every one of us at some point in our lives.
- Many people are convinced that they suffer from constipation, when in fact their peristalsis is completely normal.
- The most common causes of this problem are poor diet and lack of physical activity.
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Other causes are the use of certain drugs, irritable bowel syndrome, specific diseases.
Following a few simple rules could reduce symptoms and prevent this condition from recurring:
- A well-balanced and high-fiber diet
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Regular exercise
- If constipatdason lasts too long, despite the measures you have taken yourself, see a specialist at all costs.
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