Constipation & Treatment

Constipation means bowel movement less than three times per week.
Stool consistency becomes hard and quantity decreases. Constipated people will have to strain a lot while passing stools.
Constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal complaints in the developed nations and now coming up as a major problem in adolescents in affluent class.

What causes constipation?

Irritable bowel syndrome.

Eating excess junk food and lack of fibre.

Constipation is common during pregnancy because the growing uterus presses the intestines or because of hormonal changes affecting bowel movement.

People who tend to avoid a bowel movement due to busy schedule or children who avoid to prevent interruption during play are more likely to develop constipation.

Neurological disorders

Stress.

Smoking.

Consuming excess tea and coffee.

Drugs like codeine, anticonvulsants, iron tablets, antidepressants, antacids

A lack of exercise.

Constipation can be acute or chronic.

Symptoms

• Abdominal pain

• Heaviness in the stomach

• Gas formation

• Bad breath

• Coated tongue

• Headache

• Nausea

Simple Remedies for Constipation

Drink 4-5 litres of water daily.

American Dietetic Association has recommended daily fibre intake - 20 to 35 grams.

Have fibre rich food. Include wheat bran, fruits, green vegetables, fruits in diet.

Drinking a glass of warm milk with added 2 teaspoons of ghee before going to bed .

Drink a glass of warm water after getting up from the bed in the morning. Warm water will stimulate bowel motility.

Spices like cumin, coriander help in digestion of food.

Triphala Churna. Powder is an excellent solution. Add a teaspoon of Triphala Churna to warm water and have before going to bed .

Add 2 tsp Isabgol in a cup of hot milk. Drink it every night.

Ginger tea stimulates bowel motility.

Add oatmeal to various soups.

Eat figs soaked in warm water.

Try fresh rhubarb as it contains fibres.

Regular physical activity, walk is a must. Sedentary lifestyle is a major cause for constipation.

Do Yoga –

Yog mudra
Pawan mukta asana
Vajra asana

Avoid refined white flour.

Avoid laxatives. These can be habit- forming.

Avoid excess beans, fried foods like finger chips, gas forming vegetables like cauliflower, cabbage, etc.

Who are more likely to get constipation?

People who eat a lot of fast / junk food and excessive nonveg

Prisoners

Students in hostel

Examgoing students

Harmful Effects of chronic constipation

Anal fissure

Piles

Blood in stools

Faecal incontinence

Rectal prolapse

Gases with uncomfortable feeling.

Read -

Irritable-bowel-syndrome

Piles

Tulsi-medicinal-uses

Herbal-tea

Sitz-bath

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