Sunday, May 8, 2011

Constipation- All you want to know about it




Constipation is a true common problem . In this article, dietary and physiological aspects of constipation and it's treatment principles shall exist discussed. Today's lifestyle and catheretic habits have a major bearing forward this problem.

The Function of the Large Intestine

The first function of the large intestine (colon) is to transfer excess water from food waste wonderfully into it from the small domestic. When food passes through the immense intestine too quickly, not enough get ~ is absorbed by the intestine, and flux results. In contrast, if waste matter is passed too slowly, too abundant water is absorbed. This results in arduous stool and constipation, often leading to straining.

Fibre, likewise called roughage or bulk, is that must be to promote the wave like contractions that stir food through the intestine. High fibre foods expand the inside walls of the colon, easing the currency of waste. As fibre passes through the intestine undigested, it absorbs great amounts of water, resulting in softer and bulkier discharge . This fact highlights the importance of pile in our diet.

What is constipation?

Constipation is said to be grant if

Faeces ( stools or motions) be changed to hard, and difficult or painful to gorge.

The time spent in toilet increases compared to your frequent. There is a large range of perpendicular 'bowel habit'. Some people normally be~ne to the toilet to pass motions 2-3 spells per day whereas  for others, 2-3 state of things per week is normal. It is a change from your usual pattern that may design that you are constipated.

Common Causes of costiveness

Low fibre (roughage)

Not drinking enough water 

Medicines- Painkillers (particularly those with codeine), some antacids, some antidepressants, iron tablets, morphine, but there are many others.

Medical provisions - An under active thyroid, irritable bowel syndrome(IBS), and terms that cause poor mobility, particularly in the elderly.

Pregnancy-About 1 in 5 pregnant women become constipated. It is owed to the hormone changes of pregnancy that inactive down the gut movements.

Emotion-There is more evidence to suggest that 'emotional problems and stress' can lead to constipation.

Unknown final ~ ('idiopathic'). Some people have a unfeigned diet, drink a lot of liquid and gaseous, do not have a disease what one. can cause constipation, but become constipated. Their bowels are said to have existence 'underactive'. This is quite common. Most cases occur in women. This class tends to start in childhood or in in season adulthood, and persist throughout life.

 

Prevention of constipation

Constipation is best avoided. It can be done by

Eat plenty of thread by eating plenty of fruit, vegetables, edible grains, fruit juice, wholemeal bread, etc.

Have sufficiency to drink - at least two litres (surrounding 8-10 cups) of fluid for day. Most sorts of drink order do, but alcoholic drinks can be dehydrating and may not be in such a manner good.

Exercise regularly if possible. Keeping your carcass active helps to keep your paunch active.

Toileting. Do not ignore the emotion of needing the toilet. Some the million suppress this feeling if they are at work. It may result in hardening and backlog of dejections that may become difficult to be current later.

Treatment of constipation

Treatment through a laxative is needed only admitting that the measures above (fibre, fluid, etc) cheat not work well. There are four mere groups of laxatives that work in manifold ways:

Bulk-forming laxatives (Fibre supplements).

Stimulant laxatives.

Osmotic laxatives.

Faecal (discharge ) softener laxatives.

As a rule, a purgative should be used only for a petulant time, when necessary, to get across a bout of constipation. Once the constipation eases, you should normally stop the purgative. Some people get into the custom of taking a laxative each promised time to 'to keep the bowels uniform' or to 'prevent constipation'. This is not advised, omit for bulk forming (Fibre ) laxatives.

Bulk-forming laxatives (thread supplements)
These increase the 'bulk' of your ordure similar to fibre. They can bear some effect within 12-24 hours. However, their replete effect may take some days to unfold. Unprocessed bran is the cheapest. Alternatives are ispaghula glume(Isabgol), methylcellulose and sterculia.

Fibre and massiveness-forming laxatives work by absorbing sprinkle and calender (a bit like blotting paper). The confederacy of bulk-forming laxatives and liquid usually produces soft, bulky faeces what one. should be easy to pass wanting. Therefore intake of high amount of fluids [at in the smallest degree two litres per day (8-10 revels)] is mandatory with fibre laxatives. If fluid intake is insufficient, the faeces may be changed to dry and lead to constipation instead. Sometimes high fibre intake may incitement an  increase in wind (flatulence) and abdominal bloating. This is normal and tends to settle downward after a few months as the paunch becomes used to the increase in staple

There are two types of fiber: that cannot be dissolved and soluble. Insoluble fiber is efficacious at increasing stool size and greatness and helps reduce constipation and to this degree prevents piles and fissure. Insoluble fibers in addition reduce the risk of colon cancer and diverticulosis.  Insoluble fiber includes wheat bran, total cereal grains and vegetables. On the other participation, soluble fiber forms a gelatin-like estate in the intestines and increases the take in ~ content in stool. Soluble fiber decreases family cholesterol and results in a sink blood sugar after meals for diabetics. Soluble fiber is raise in citrus fruit, legumes (dried beans and peas), oats, barley and "gums" that are found in oatmeal and dried beans.

Stimulant laxatives
These arouse the nerves in the large bowel which causes the muscle in it's wall to squeeze harder than usual. This pushes the faeces along and to the end. Stimulant laxatives include senna (Softovac), bisacodyl, phenolphthalein, castor oil, sodium picosulphate(Cremalax) and dantron. Their power is within 8-12 hours. Therefore, a bedtime disagreeable lot is recommended so that you own the urge to go to the ~-table the following morning. Stimulant laxative suppositories act additional quickly (within 20-60 minutes). Possible verge-effects from stimulant laxatives include abdominal cramps, and a 'weakened' bowel ('sluggish bowel') with long-term use.

Osmotic laxatives
These toil by retaining fluid in the broad bowel by osmosis (so less liquid and gaseous is absorbed into the bloodstream from the great bowel). A commonly used one is called lactulose (Loose). However, this be possible to take up to two days to accept any effect so it is not meet for the rapid relief of costiveness. Possible side-effects of lactulose contain abdominal pain, bloating and an ungrateful taste. Another osmotic laxative is called polyethylene glycol (Peglec). This usually has a speedy action.

Faecal softeners
These work ~ the agency of 'wetting' and softening the faeces. The most commonly used is docusate sodium (Dulcolax) and ~ substance paraffin(Cremaffin, Agarol). Possible side-goods include seeping from the anus and irritating the pelt, and interfering with the absorption of some vitamins from the gut.

When tests necessity to be done for constipation

If perfect constipation is a new symptom, especially in commonalty above the age of 40 years and there is no apparent cause such for example a change in diet, lifestyle, or medication.(To conduct out cancer)

If symptoms are extreme and persistent.

If associated with other symptoms like paragraph of blood along with motions, agonize, weight loss, bouts of diarrhoea, or other unexplained symptoms in addition to constipation.

 

 

 

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