CONSTIPATION

CONSTIPATION

What Is Constipation?

Being constipated means your bowel movements are tough or happen less often than normal. Almost everyone goes through it sooner or later. Although it’s not usually serious, you'll feel much better when your body is back on track.

The normal length of time between bowel movements varies widely from person to person. Some people have them three times a day. Others have them only once or twice a week.

Going longer than 3 or more days without one, though, is usually too long. After 3 days, the stool or faces become harder and more difficult to pass.

What Are the Symptoms?

You may have:

• Few bowel movements
• Trouble having a bowel movement (straining to go)
• Hard or small stools
• A sense that everything didn’t come out
• Swollen belly or belly pain
• Throwing up

Why Does It Happen?

Some causes of constipation include:

• Antacid medicines containing calcium or aluminum
• Changes in your usual diet or activities
• Colon cancer
• Eating a lot of dairy products
• Eating disorders
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis
• Not being active
• Not enough water or fiber in your diet
• Overuse of laxatives
• Pregnancy
• Problems with the nerves and muscles in the digestive system
• Resisting the urge to have a bowel movement, which some people do because of haemorrhoids
• Some medications (especially strong pain drugs such as narcotics, antidepressants, or iron pills)
• Stress
• Underactive thyroid (called hypothyroidism)

What Should I Do If I Am Constipated?

Take these steps:

• Drink two to four extra glasses of water a day, unless your doctor told you to limit fluids for another reason.
• Try warm liquids, especially in the morning.
• Add fruits and vegetables to your diet.
• Eat prunes and bran cereal.
• If needed, use a very mild over-the-counter stool softener like docusate or a laxative like magnesium hydroxide. Don’t use laxatives for more than 2 weeks without calling your doctor. If you overdo it, your symptoms may get worse.

Why do we get constipated?

Causes of constipation. Constipation happens when the colon absorbs too much water, or if the muscles in the colon are contracting slowly or poorly so that the stool moves too slowly and loses more water.

What does it feel like to be constipated?

This is a common feeling of constipation. Your bowels are not fully eliminating themselves and your body is signaling to you that you are probably experiencing constipation. You find your bowel movements a bit painful. You feel bloated, gassy, or general abdominal discomfort with little or no relief.

What should I do if I feel constipated?

Easing Constipation on Vacation

•    Eat a well- balanced diet with plenty of fiber. ...
• Drink 1 1/2 to 2 quarts of water and other fluids a day (unless your doctor has you on a fluid-restricted diet). ...
•   Avoid caffeine...
•  Cut back on milk....
• Exercise regularly....
• Go to the bathroom when you feel the urge.

How do you solve constipation?

Here's what you can do to get things moving: 

• Eat more fibre. 'It is recommended you have 25 to 50 grams of fibre a day,' says Marshall. ...
• Exercise regularly. ...
• Drink lots of water. ...
• Lose the stress. ...
• Stick with a regular routine. ...
•  If necessary, use laxatives, but don't overdo them. ...
•  Be prepared for travel

  

Dulcolax (Available at Farmasi Pantai Hillpark)

Duphalac (Available at Farmasi Pantai Hillpark)

Lactul (Available at Farmasi Pantai Hillpark)

Novalax (Available at Farmasi Pantai Hillpark)

Senokot (Available at Farmasi Pantai Hillpark)

Fiber (Available at Farmasi Pantai Hillpark)

Fiber (Available at Farmasi Pantai Hillpark)

Fiber (Available at Farmasi Pantai Hillpark)

What are the symptoms of constipation?

Signs and symptoms of chronic constipation include:

• Passing fewer than three stools a week
•  Having lumpy or hard stools
•  Straining to have bowel movements
•  Feeling as though there's a blockage in your rectum that prevents bowel movements
•   Feeling as though you can't completely empty the stool from your rectum
•  Needing help to empty your rectum, such as using your hands to press on your abdomen and using a finger to remove stool from your rectum

Constipation may be considered chronic if you've experienced two or more of these symptoms for the last three months.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with your doctor if you experience unexplained and persistent changes in your bowel habits.

Causes

Constipation most commonly occurs when waste or stool moves too slowly through the digestive tract or cannot be eliminated effectively from the rectum, which may cause the stool to become hard and dry. Chronic constipation has many possible causes.

 Risk factors

Factors that may increase your risk of chronic constipation include:

·         Being an older adult

·         Being a woman

·         Being dehydrated

·         Eating a diet that's low in fiber

·         Getting little or no physical activity

·         Taking certain medications, including sedatives, narcotics, some antidepressants or medications to lower blood pressure

·         Having a mental health condition such as depression or an eating disorder

 

Complications

Complications of chronic constipation include:

·         Swollen veins in your anus (haemorrhoids). Straining to have a bowel movement may cause swelling in the veins in and around your anus.

·         Torn skin in your anus (anal fissure). A large or hard stool can cause tiny tears in the anus.

·         Stool that can't be expelled (fecal impaction). Chronic constipation may cause an accumulation of hardened stool that gets stuck in your intestines.

·         Intestine that protrudes from the anus (rectal prolapse). Straining to have a bowel movement can cause a small amount of the rectum to stretch and protrude from the anus.

·         

    

       What is good for constipation?

Perhaps one of the most classic cures for constipation is prunes or prune juice. The fruit works as a natural laxative because it has high amounts of fiber, and contains sorbitol. ... Be careful though-too much and sorbitol can cause gas and make stool too soft.

What can cause chronic constipation?

If you have chronic constipation or if constipation is new or is a change in your normal bowel habits, give your doctor a call. ... Some medical conditions such as hypothyroidism, irritable bowel syndrome, Parkinson's disease, and diabetes can also cause chronic constipation.

Home treatment?

• First:
• Try gentle exercise. Take a short walk each day. Gradually increase your walking time until you are walking for at least 20 minutes.
• Make sure you drink enough fluids. Most adults should try to drink between 8 and 10 glasses of water or no caffeinated beverages each day. Avoid alcoholic beverages and caffeine, which can increase dehydration. If you have heart failure or kidney failure, talk to your doctor about what amount of fluid is right for you.
• Include fruits, vegetables, and fiber in your diet each day. Have a bran muffin or bran cereal for breakfast, and try eating a piece of fruit for a mid-afternoon snack.
• Schedule time each day for a bowel movement (after breakfast, for example). Establishing a daily routine may help. Take your time. Do not be in a hurry.

Can you take a laxative when pregnant?

·         One mild laxative, considered to be safe to take during pregnancy, is milk of magnesia. Your doctor may also recommend taking a bulk-producing agent like Metamucil. Lastly, your doctor may suggest a stool softener, which contains docusate, to reduce constipation. ... In addition, make sure you do not overuse laxatives.

 Can I take a fiber supplement while pregnant?

Daily walks and other aerobic activities can help prevent pregnancy constipation. Include more fiber in your diet. Choose high-fiber foods, such as fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains. With your health care provider's OK, consider a fiber supplement, such as Metamucil.

ATTENTION!!

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