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.
