Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Chronic Constipation: Myths and Facts!!

Constipation is the most common digestive problem seen in children, adults and old people. It makes life miserable and painful. Chronic constipation is characterized by infrequent bowel movements for weeks at a time. Chronic constipation includes straining or difficulty in passing stools. However it is associated with a number of facts like

Myth 1:- If bowel movements occur fewer than 5-6 times a week, it is considered to be chronic constipation.

Fact 1:- Three bowel movements a week is completely normal. Moreover almost 95% of adults have bowel movements between 3 to 21 times a week.

Myth 2:- When bowel movements are infrequent toxins gets accumulated in the intestine.

Fact 2:- There is no scientific evidence which supports the above statement.

Myth 3:- The frequency of bowel movements increases with age

Fact 3:- Studies shown that bowel movements usually decreases with age

Myth 4:- Not many people suffered from chronic constipation

Fact 4:- Chronic constipation is a serious health issue affecting almost 15-20% of the population

Myth 5: You should never suffer from constipation if you eat right, exercise well and drinks plenty of fluids.

Fact 5:- Constipation is not only caused by physical factors but also by psychological issues.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Laxatives and Constipation!!

Though a number of treatments are available for curbing constipation but the most commonly used mode of treatment is laxative. Laxatives are made up of chemicals which increases stool motility, frequency and bulk. However laxatives may cause chronic constipation if misused.

Laxatives Types:

Laxatives come in the form of pills, capsules, liquids, enemas and suppositories. These laxatives have specific benefits and possible side-effects. However using a pill or capsule is much better than a suppository or enema in the rectum. The different types of laxatives are:

Bulking Agents (Fiber): - Fiber is most recommended for normal and slow-transit constipation. It is available over the counter as Citrucel, Fiber-la, Equilactin, Benefiber, Metamucil and Fibercon. Fiber acts by increasing the water content and bulk of the stool resulting in easier bowel movements. Furthermore fiber may reduce the absorption of some medicines thus always take your medicine at least 1 hour before or after taking fiber.

Emollient laxatives (stool softener): - These laxatives soften the stool and widely known as “stool softener”. Emollient laxatives such as Colace takes a week or longer to be effective.

Lubricant laxatives: - These laxatives consist of mineral oil which adds a slick layer to the intestinal walls that stops the stool from drying out.

Stimulant laxatives: - It provides instantaneous relief from constipation. Stimulant laxatives stimulate the lining of the intestine thereby making the bowel movement easier for you. However make sure not to use stimulant laxatives daily as it reduces the body’s natural ability to defecate and results in laxative dependency. Shttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifome stimulant laxatives are Ex-Lax, Senokot, Correctol, Dulcolax, and Feen-a-Mint.

Osmotic and hyperosmolar laxatives: - These laxatives include all hydrating agents that add fluids into the intestine from the surrounding tissues i.e. Milk of Magnesia or MOM, Kristalose, Fleet Phospho-Soda. Due to the addition of water in the intestine, stool becomes soft which enables easy defecation.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Constipation-Home remedies!!

• Eat 2 apples every morning to get rid of constipation.

• Drink lemon juice in water with a pinch of salt in it

• Try eating papaya and guava every day. It will provide good roughage, prevents constipation and clears your bowel system.

• To prevent constipation, take warm lime water early in the morning.

• Grapes possess laxative properties and prevent chronic constipation

• Oranges are healthy for colon and thus minimizes the risk of constipation.

• Spinach (palak) when taken in a raw or cooked form will be beneficial in clearing bowel system, and digestive tract.

Herbal Remedies for Constipation

• Make a juice of bael fruit with water and sugar. Take this juice for 2-3 months. This will be beneficial in dissolving the wastes of the intestine and flush them out of the body.

• Fruit of Cassia tree is used as an effective laxative. It helps in the treatment of constipation. This remedy has no side-effects.

• Castor oil is quite helpful in curbing constipation and has no side-effects

• Chebulic myroblan acts as a mild laxative. When it is mixed with rock salt or flavored with cloves and cinnamon, it provides complete relief from constipation.

Take a glass of water and add one tablespoon of phyllium husk. Drink this early in the morning with empty stomach

• Termnalia chebula enhances digestive functions, blood circulation and functioning of colon. It detoxifies liver and prevents constipation

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These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. These are 100% natural herbal supplements.