What is Constipation
Signs and Symptoms of Constipation
Causes of Constipation
Diagnosis for Constipation
Nutrition and Diet for Constipation
Supplements for Constipation
Exercise as Constipation Prevention
Biofeedback as Constipation Treatment
Herbal Medicine for Constipation
Home Remedy for Constipation
Homeopathy for Constipation
Chinese Medicine for Constipation
Acupressure for Constipation
Massage and Theraphy for Constipation
Conventional Medicine for Constipation
Warning Signs

Constipation is a condition in which a person has uncomfortable or infrequent bowel movements.

A person with constipation often or always produces hard stools that may be difficult to pass.

Constipation may involve pain during the passage of a bowel movement, the inability to pass a bowel movement after straining or pushing for longer than 10 minutes, or no bowel movements for more than 3 days.

Since normal bowel patterns vary considerably from person to person, constipation is a relative term. Not everyone, for example, has a bowel movement every day. Similarly, stool consistency can vary widely and still be normal. Some healthy people generally have soft or near-runny stools, while others have firm stools, but no difficulty in passing them.

Constipation may be acute or chronic. Acute constipation begins suddenly and conspicuously. Chronic constipation may begin insidiously and persist for months or years.

• Symptoms of constipation include Infrequent, difficult passage of stools (fewer than three bowel movements a week)
• Another symptom is sudden decrease in frequency of bowel movements
• Signs include stools that are harder than normal
• Bowel still feels full after bowel movement
• and Bloated sensation

 

Constipation is caused by the slowed transit of stool . Under normal circumstances, water is pulled from the stool as it passes through the large intestine. Slowed transit of stool allows the large intestine to pull more water from the stool, resulting in the hard, dry stools and associated difficult passage of stools that characterize constipation.

Low fiber diet is most common cause of constipation, other common causes of constipation are lack of physical activity or exercise, inadequate intake of fluid each day, or delay in going to the bathroom when you have the urge to defecate. Stress and travel can also contribute to constipation or other changes in bowel habits.

Other Causes of Constipation

Drugs can cause constipation. Drugs slow the transit of stool causing constipation. Here is a list of drugs known to cause constipation: Aluminum hydroxide (AMPHOGEL, ALU-CAP); Bismuth subsalicylateSome (PEPTO-BISMOL), Iron salts, anticholinergic drugs, certain antihypertensive, opioids, and many sedatives, frequently cause constipation.

Diseases and disorders can cause constipation . This may include an under active thyroid gland (hypothyroidism), high blood calcium levels (hypercalcemia), and Parkinson's disease. Other conditions, including poor blood supply to the large intestine and nerve or spinal cord injury, can also cause constipation by slowing transit.

Constipation is sometimes caused by obstruction of the large intestine . Obstruction can be caused by cancer, especially in the last portion of the large intestin. Bezoars (tightly packed collections of partially digested or undigested material) and foreign bodies can also block the intestinal tract. People who previously had abdominal surgery may develop obstruction, usually of the small intestine, because of formation of bands of fibrous tissues.

Aging is also a cause of constipation : Constipation is particularly common among older people. Age-related changes in the large intestine along with increased use of medications and reduced physical activity tend to slow the transit of stool through the large intestine. Slowed transit is particularly common during periods of illness. The rectum enlarges with age, and increased storage of stool in the rectum allows hard stool to become impacted.

Chronic pain and psychological conditions , especially depression, are common causes of acute and chronic constipation. Constipation may result from changes in the levels of certain substances in the brain, such as serotonin, that can affect the intestinal tract.

 

When constipation develops in someone who has not had it before and there is no ready explanation for constipation, a doctor may perform blood tests to check for an under active thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) or high calcium levels in the blood (hypercalcemia), both of which can cause constipation. If there is any question about cancer as a cause, a barium enema x-ray study or colonoscopy is performed.