Constipation is a condition of the
digestive system not a disease. Constipation is when a person has
irregular bowel movement, experiences hard feces that are difficult
to eliminate. With constipation stools are usually hard, dry and
small in size. Constipation may be extremely painful, and in severe
cases lead to symptoms of bowel obstruction.
Medically speaking, constipation is
defined when a person has fewer than three bowel movements per week
and severe constipation with less than one bowel movement per week.
However, some people believe they are constipated if they do not
have bowel movement every day.
Constipation can also alternate with
diarrhea. This pattern is known as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
What causes
constipation?
Constipation can be caused by slow
movement of the stool through the colon.
As food moves through the colon, the
colon forms waste products by absorbing water from the food. Muscle
contractions in the colon push the stool toward the rectum. By the
time the stool reaches the rectum it is hard and dry.
Common causes of
constipation are:
Hardening of the feces:
- lack of dietary fiber
- not enough physical activities
- dehydration
- medications - narcotic pain medications, antidepressants,
anticonvulsants, iron
supplements, calcium channel blocking drugs, aluminum-containing
antacids
Some diseases and conditions:
- irritable bowel syndrome
- stroke
- problems with intestinal function (chronic idiopathic
constipation)
Changes in life and routine
Habit - to frequently suppress
the urge to have a bowel movement can lead to disappearance of
urges and result in constipation.
Treatment of
Constipation
Treatment of constipation depends on
the cause and duration of the constipation. In most cases change in
diet and lifestyle will help relief symptoms and help prevent them
from recurring.
