Conditions Caused By Constipation

Constipation can cause problems for your body. If you are suffering from constipation you will no doubt strain to pass the hard stools when having a bowel movement, this straining can cause haemorriods and anal fissures. Straining can also cause a condition known as rectal prolapse, this is when a small amount of the intestinal lining is pushed out of the anal opening.

Constipation can also cause you to suffer from a condition known as fecael impaction. This is when the hard stool is so impacted in your colon that normal pushing can not expel it and an enema is needed to break up the stool and remove it.

When your bowel is clogged with faeces due to constipation, it provides an ideal environment for harmful bacteria and parasites to thrive. Poor bowel cleanliness is the source for many disorders for the body, such as:

? Appendicitis
? Arthritis
? Cancer of the colon
? Clotting in deep veins
? Diverticulitis
? Gall-bladder problems
? Heart disorders
? Hiatus hernia
? Varicose veins

Intestinal toxaemia and auto-intoxication are caused directly from intestinal constipation. Constipation aids in the lowering of your body?s resistance, thus leading to many acute and chronic illnesses.

Intestinal constipation causes extra workload for your other excretory organs such as:

? Kidneys
? Liver
? Lungs
? Lymph
? Skin

by causing cellular constipation. This causes the functioning of these organs to become overworked and depleted. Repair and growth are delayed, the ability to eliminate waste products is limited and cellular metabolism becomes sluggish. The cells become dead and inactive, instead of active and alive, this process helps in the decline of organ and tissue functioning ability.

Constipation causes auto-intoxication, this is a process where your body literally toxicants itself by keeping decaying matter within your colon. The toxins which are released within your bowel, find their way into your bloodstream and from there around your body. This slowly affects every cell in your body and causes illnesses.

Stewart Hare C.H.Ed Dip NutTh

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Headaches, Insomnia, Anxiety And Constipation Are Rooted In Vata Imbalance.

Headaches, insomnia, anxiety and constipation have the same root cause which is a vata imbalance according to ayurveda. Until recently modern Western medicine believed that health was simply the absence of disease. Illness was caused purely by something outside the body, the way a hammer hitting your toe causes pain?viruses caused colds, allergens caused allergies, stress caused anxiety, carcinogens caused cancer, and so on. The solution was to find the right pill and the disease would be cured.

But today we know that the seeds of illness are sown way before obvious symptoms appear. The absence of a readily diagnosable disease is no longer the definition of health?people want to feel good, not just "not bad." The hammer-hitting-the-toe model of disease doesn't explain the wide variation in people's abilities to resist illness or recover from illness. When you encounter a cold virus, you have only one chance in eight of getting a cold. Seven out of eight times your mind-body is able to defend itself. Clearly the virus is only one small factor?the state of your general health is paramount.

By focusing on physical cause and effect Western medicine has looked at individual organs in isolation, as separate from one another and from the mind and spirit. By way of contrast ancient civilizations were intimately in touch with their nonphysical selves and had rich inner lives. They knew what modern science is just now starting to realize: The mind and body are so connected as to be indistinguishable from each other.In many ways modern science is only beginning to catch up with Ayurveda. In many ways modern science is only beginning to catch up with Ayurveda. For example research is discovering that certain people are constitutionally prediposed to certain illnesses, and proving that lifestyle practices and gentle herbal medicines can make a huge difference in our ability to resist disease, recover from illness, and extend our lives. That's exactly what the ancient science of Ayurveda has been saying for thousands of years. Headaches, insomnia, anxiety and constipation have the same root cause which is a vata imbalance and this is an example of genetic predisposition according to body type.

http://www.drhelenthomas.com Hi I am a practicing Chiropractor for the last 25 years. Ayurveda came into my life in 1984. I have studied with the best in the nation and the best in India. It is a practice that takes a lifetime to become a master. I love teaching it and practicing it.

A Guide to Constipation

Constipation is a major irritable, sickening and debilitating condition, when one experiences difficulty in eliminating hard feces. Constipation may occur because of dietary, hormonal, medicinal or anatomical problems. It may occur in infants, children and adults without any age or sex difference.

The causes of constipation include hardening of the feces, insufficient intake of dietary fiber, dehydration causing excess absorption of water from stools, consumption of certain medicines containing iron, calcium and aluminum, paralysis or slowed transit which results in diminished peristaltic actions, hypothyroidism, hypokalemia, injured anal sphincter, usage of antidepressants and certain tranquillizers, acute porphyria, anxiety or unfamiliarity with surroundings, tumors in the bowel, and narrowed or blocked intestine or rectum. Two colon disorders such as colonic inertia and pelvic floor dysfunction can also cause constipation.

The symptoms of constipation include hemorrhoid and anal fissures on straining, distended, diffusely tender and crampy abdomen, and enhanced bowel sounds. In severe cases, paradoxical diarrhea may occur in which soft stool from the small intestine bypasses the hard solid feces in the colon.

It is best to consult your doctor if you notice any sustained change in your bowel habits. Changes such as losing weight, severe abdominal pain and rectal bleeding are to be seriously considered as they are indications of the seriousness of constipation. The common tests include evaluation of patient's history, physical examination, blood tests, abdominal x-rays, barium enema, colonic transit studies, defecography, ano-rectal motility studies, and colonic motility studies.

The treatment requires change in dietary habits, laxatives, fiber therapy, enemas, and rarely surgery. The affected people must increase the intake of water and other fluids, and dietary fiber. Vegetables, bran and fruits are the chief source of dietary fibers. The treatment for constipation aims at one bowel movement in every 2 to 3 days without straining. If one's body does not seem to be responding to one treatment then the treatment should be stopped and another started.

Constipation provides detailed information on constipation, cat constipation, causes of constipation, chronic constipation and more. Constipation is affiliated with Are Cold Sores Contagious? .

A Few Basic Facts About Constipation

At sometime or the other in a person's life they are bound to become constipated. This may last for a short period of time or it may be for a long period of time. In this latter instance, it is advisable to consult your physician. It is a condition hard to describe. Sometimes, people may think they are constipated but they really are not. Constipation could be a condition in itself or it could also be an early warning sign that something more serious is taking place in one's system.

It is the thought that having a bowel movement every day is the normal thing and is the essential thing. This is not necessarily true, as each person will have a different routine according to various reasons, including the food they eat, exercise and other factors.

A doctor's definition of constipation would be - the lack of a bowel movement for more than three consecutive days. However, a patient would see constipation in a different light and would say they are constipated if they had any of the following symptoms:

. The stools are large and difficult to pass
. Hard stools
. Infrequent passing of stools
. It hurts when passing stools

Causes of constipation

. Certain medication taken to treat ailments can result in constipation. Medication with Calcium, Aluminum and Iron in them causes constipation. Certain antidepressants can cause constipation. The substance Codeine contained in pain relievers bring about constipation. The above are just a few.
. Not eating a well balanced diet can also brings about constipation. A diet high in meats, eggs, dairy products, rich desserts and various other sweets too can cause constipation.
. Lack of exercise or inactivity is another cause for this condition.
. Traveling can be another cause, as sometimes when a person is comfortable only in using their own toilet and feels uncomfortable in using an outside toilet, they postpone going and therefore become constipated.
. Imaginary constipation when people are really not. This condition is said to be very common. People think they have to pass stools on a daily basis and if they do not they imagine that they are constipated.
. People abuse the use of laxatives sometimes and this can lead to constipation. This is because, as a habit, they take a laxative to pass a stool and become dependent on it when finally the intestines loses its sensitivity and does not work properly anymore.
. Pregnancy can be another cause owing to hormonal changes and also as a result of the intestine being narrowed as the fetus grows thereby blocking the stools from passing through.
. Postponing having a bowel movement. This usually happens when one is too busy and keeps putting off in having a bowel movement or it maybe due to another reason like unfamiliar surroundings.
. Insufficient intake of water or liquids.
. A bad case of vomiting and diarrhea can cause loss of body salts resulting in constipation.
. Certain diseases too can bring about a constriction in the intestine thereby blocking the passage of stools. Examples are tumors, scarring and inflammation of the intestine. Also another cause is the presence of fissures and hemorrhoids (piles).
. Certain diseases like diabetes, depression and a low level of the thyroid hormone.
. Another very common cause is Irritable Bowel Syndrome. This is a condition where a person develops a series of spasms in the colon thereby delaying the speed with which the intestine contents move through the digestive canal resulting in constipation.
. Injuries to the spinal cord can affect the nerves that lead to the intestine.

How does one avoid constipation?

. Eat a well balanced diet high in fiber, fruits and veggies.
. Exercise on a regular basis.
. When you get the inclination, you should go to the toilet. Do not postpone it.
. Drink plenty of water, fruit juices, vegetable juices and plenty of other clear liquids.
. Train yourself to go at a particular time after breakfast preferably or after dinner.
. Do not misuse laxatives. They should be taken only on your physician's recommendation.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Constipation

What You Should Know About Constipation

The world "constipation" has its roots in the Latin "con" (meaning together) and "stipare" (meaning to press). This derivation suggests an early belief that constipation caused the bowels to be pressed together, thereby inhibiting natural function, or alternatively that the contents of the bowel become compressed, with the same result. Experience of general practitioners reveals that lazy bowels bother every person at some time, regardless of age.

There are two main types of constipation-primary or functional constipation and secondary constipation, which accompanies various conditions.

Basically, primary constipation comes about when too much water is absorbed back into the body from the bowel. This leads to a drying-out and hardening of faeces, and makes their passage through the bowel uncomfortable or even impossible through lack of natural lubrication.

Primary constipation occurs often in elderly people as a result of senile changes. The loss of the tone in muscles of the abdominal wall can result in senile changes and irregular bowel movements. Children, suffer from it when their growing systems have not yet adjusted themselves to an accustomed pattern of bowel behaviour. When a proper habit is established in childhood, the basis for a healthy routine in adult is created. Radical "crash diets" frequently lack the proper balance the body requires of its food mix, and the normal rhythm is disturbed. Nearly every mother-to-be finds constipation a problem as a result of increasing pressure against the bowels during pregnancy.

There can be few ailments about which there is such wide opinion on treatment and "cure".

Certain primitive tribes, obsessed with maintaining inflexible regularity, still practise elaborate rites involving reed enemas and violent herbal preparations; even tiny babies, displaying the slightest sign of a sluggish bowel, are subjected to this drastic treatment. To the more enlightened world, it is obvious that such measures are injurious.

A great many people, however, are still ignorant of the dangers which are attached to persistent use of harsh laxatives. These laxatives-numerous on the market-contain phenolphthalein compounds, bowel irritants, or mineral oils. They are not only immediately harmful to the system but can cause long-term damage through creating a dependence. The bowel movements become impossible with out increasing doses of the purgative. Even the time-honoured favourites of earlier generations, castor oil and liquid paraffin, fall into this category because they interfere with the natural bowel behaviour.

Under normal circumstances, regularity can be maintained by bearing in mind the following hints:

1. Have a leisurely, light breakfast. The physiological gastro colic reflex will signal the large bowel to empty itself soon after food enters, the stomach.
2. Establish a set, unhurried time for using the lavatory.
3. Be sure to include a certain amount of roughage in your diet.
4. Light exercise is essential if your work keeps you at a desk for long hours.

If, however, constipation occurs, then it assumes first-aid importance. It should be tackled immediately to prevent a bad pattern of bowel behaviour becoming established. A suitable treatment is a safe, effective and non-habit forming laxative such as milk of magnesia. Milk of magnesia contains Magnesium Hydroxide which draws body fluids into the intestines through the process knows as osmosis. This increases the bulk and softens the contents of the large intestine rhythmic bowel movements called peristalsis and assisting evacuation through a gentle flushing action. Practice regular and sensible eating habits and establish a routine that your body gets used to, so that bowel movements occur at a fixed time every day or every other day. The key is to establish a pattern that your body will get used to so that at that time it ready to empty itself! When nature finds you ready and willing, you will not have any difficulties.

Stella Marie is a trained Beautician & Dietician. Alongwith her clinic, she also runs the popular website www.greatoffers4u.com. Visit www.greatoffers4u.com/library for more articles.

Constipation In Children

If you think your baby has constipation just because he has infrequent stools, then you better think again. Having infrequent stools does not really mean constipation although this malady is characterized by erratic bowel movement.

Constipation is a result of a deficient and wrong diet, inadequate intake of fluids or a problematic colon. Babies who take in too much refined food can be candidates for constipation.

So how does one know when a child has constipation? A child may have constipation if he has very dry and hard stools. A person?s feces or solid waste passes through the colon because the latter normally gets rid of the water that is within the stool. However, when the colon is not functioning well, it may remove too much of the water in the feces resulting to very dry and hard stool, thereby resulting to constipation.

In simple words, constipation occur when the body?s solid waste stay in the colon, thereby extracting more fecal stool than what is necessary. This happens when a person?s colon has lesser movement as a result of a diet that does not properly stimulate the colon to do its normal function. Constipation also occurs when there is a barrier in the GI tract as when there are problems with the anus or a tumor blockage.

Babies, especially those who are breast-fed, do not really experience constipation because the baby absorbs nearly all of the milk and there is little residue left. Infants naturally release their waste less often but it does not mean they are constipated. However, when they are ready to get their feces off, they usually do it with a lot of grunting and forcing. This should not worry parents though because it is normal as the baby?s anus may still be a little taut and needs more stretching before the stool can be released.

It is a different story though for formula-fed babies who can get constipated due to the milk residue in the colon. When these infants become toddlers and given a more solid diet later on, then they can be more prone to getting constipation.

For babies with really tight anus and who regularly experiences discomfort when passing stool, it is best to have a rectal examination by a trusted doctor to make sure there is no obstruction in the anus.

So how is constipation in children treated? One way of avoiding and treating child constipation is to improve his diet. There are mothers and even doctors who recommend the mixture of Karo syrup, the one used for hotcakes, with the baby?s milk. The intake of fruit juices like apple or prunes may also help in loosening the stool.

Always seek your pediatricians advice.

The author is a regular contributor to Constipation Gone where more resources are freely available.

Treating Your Dog & Constipation

Constipation usually occurs when the dog does not get enough bulk in his diet or when he does not get enough proper exercise. When a dog does not get the chance to eliminate when he needs to, he may develop the habit of holding it in. A dog that is not let out enough will also likely to develop this habit. In these simple cases of constipation, you may use the following treatment to ease your dog's discomfort:

1. Feed your dog a natural diet that includes fresh vegetables with sufficient amounts of bulk. Raw meat is also considered a natural laxative for dogs. If your dog's stool looks dry, add ? to 1 teaspoon of bran (depending on his weight) to each serving of meal. Adding bran helps the stools hold extra moisture. You may also apply a similar treatment using ? to 2 teaspoons of powdered psyllium seed. This is available online and in most health food stores.

2. You may also use mineral oil temporarily in cases where there is a large build-up of hard stools. Depending on the size of your dog, add ? to 2 teaspoons to his meals twice a day, for no longer than a week. Continued use of this method is not ideal because the oil will draw reserves of vitamin A from the dog's body. In addition, continued use of this process may create a dependency on its use for normal elimination.

3. Make sure that the dog is getting plenty of opportunity to go outside to relieve himself. Another treatment that is very effective is to make sure that your dog is getting enough sufficient exercise. Exercise is vital for massaging his internal organs and increasing the blood flow all over his body, which also stimulates a slow metabolism. Running, long walks, or playing fetch are great forms of exercise that both you and your dog can benefit from.

Chronic case of constipation

If your dog is suffering from chronic and prolonged constipation, you may also try homeopathic treatment, which is a natural form of remedy. Consult a vet who specializes in this form of treatment to determine if this is the best route to take.

Aluminum poisoning is also possible with a dog that has a weak rectum. Signs of aluminum poisoning include chronic constipation with straining and sticky and messy stools rather than hard ones. Even if the stool is soft, weak rectal muscles make passage difficult. If you feel that aluminum poisoning is the cause of your dog's chronic constipation, stop using aluminum cooking pots and dishes when preparing your dog's food. Avoid pet food that is sold in aluminum cans. In addition, do not feed your dog processed cheeses, table salt, white flour, and tap water. To remove the aluminum from his body, use high doses of vitamin C - about 500 milligrams to 3 grams per day along with zinc supplement-5 milligrams for small dogs up to 20 milligrams for large dogs.

Gene Sower is the publisher of the DOG BYTES newsletter and owner of http://www.naturalpetsworld.com, a site devoted to offering a huge selection of natural pet foods at discount prices.

Constipation Prevention And Natural Remedies

Constipation is a problem that affects many Americans every day. Constipation is mainly due to poor eating habits, insufficient exercise, not getting enough fiber and not drinking enough water. Constipation is quite uncomfortable and most everyone knows when they have it. Common symptoms include:

Straining to have a bowel movement

Hard stools pellet like stools

Not having a bowel movement every day

Not totally emptying your bowels each time you have a movement

If you eat right and adopt a healthy lifestyle, you need not every suffer from constipation, but what can you do in the meantime?

One way to help get things moving is to increase your intake of potassium through eating foods it naturally occurs in. You remember your grandmother telling you to eat prunes to relieve constipation, right? Well that is because prunes are high in potassium!

Potassium works wonders on the walls of the colon and helps to stimulate peristaltic action which makes your bowels move. It also helps to clean out layers of mucus and dried fecal matter that have built up along the colon walls.

Other foods that contain potassium include: tomatoes, broccoli, cucumbers, kale, sesame seeds, wheat germ, brewers yeast, pineapple and cauliflower.

Another natural remedy for constipation is Aloe. This herb that works so good on your outsides can also help your insides too! Aloe and its cousins buckthorn, frangula and senna have natural laxative chemicals and can be very powerful constipation cures It is recommended you take any of these herbs with caution and not for extended periods of time.

Psyllium has long been used to help relieve symptoms of constipation as it is loaded with soluble fiber. Make sure you take psyllium with lots of water.

Flax seed is used in may packaged products that treat constipation. You can buy the flaxseeds and crush them yourself. Take one or two tablespoons a day with lots of water. You will need to make sure you get at least 8 glasses of water a day when using flax.

Rhubarb has laxative properties and is high in fiber. Since the properties that give it it's laxative qualities are similar to those in senna, this can be very powerful so use with caution!

While using natural remedies for constipation is much better then taking laxatives, the best thing to do is to practice prevention by eating lots of fruits and vegetables, getting adequate exercise and drinking lots of water.

Lee Dobbins writes for http://www.colon-articles.comwhere you can find a wealth of information on how to take care of your colon. Find more articles on constipation and colon care at http://www.colon-articles.com/colon-articles.html

Constipation Home Remedies Using Juices

Apple Juice, Figs and Raisins Here's another constipation home remedy using apple juice with other fruit. Eat it the first thing in the morning before breakfast. In a blender, put in a cup of fresh apple juice. Add equal amounts of dry or fresh figs and raisins and a small organic apple. Choose how many figs and raisins to use. You will need to experiment a little. Get a consistency that is not too thick. Add a little more apple juice if needed. Eat this home remedy for a few days until you start to get some relief from your constipation. Oat Milk with Fig Juice or Prune Juice Buy oat milk at the health food store. In the morning, warn 8 oz of oat milk and add the following: * 3 oz of fig juice or prune juice * two droppers full of licorice extract. Or you can mix one glass of 50% fig juice and 50% prune juice. Drink this first thing in the morning. This powerful home remedy will get your bowels moving. Drink this combination first thing in the morning. Stewed Figs Take 10 - 12 calimyma figs and stew them in two glasses of distilled water (16 oz) for 10 minutes. Let them sit in this water overnight. In the morning remove the figs, warm and drink the juice. Eat the figs though out the day. Or prepare a blended drink of, * three or more figs, fresh or sun dried * one banana * 1 tablespoon of honey or molasses * one cup of rice dream Drink first thing in the morning and any time after lunch or dinner. The following juices provide you with some powerful constipation home remedies that you can use right away. Mulberry Juice Mulberry juice has many health benefits. It is good for digestive tract illnesses. It can stimulate digestion and assimilation of nutrients in the small intestine. It is useful for older people for reliving constipation. Mulberry contains many minerals and vitamins. Boysenberry Boysenberry juice has a gentle natural laxative action on your bowel. When your constipation is mild, this juice will help move things in your colon. Blackberries Mix cup of distilled water and cup of blackberries. Drink this first thing in the morning to promote peristaltic movement. Drink this often and it will make you regular. Blackberries are high in vitamin C. Cherries Cherries are high in antioxidants, fiber, potassium, and many other minerals, which are effective in neutralizing body acid. Cherries contain vitamins B-1, B-2, folic acid and niacin. Cherries have laxative effects and can start peristaltic action. Eat fresh cherries throughout the day or drink three 8 oz glasses of cherry juice during the day. Buy cherry juice in glass container. Elderberry Juice Can be used to help reduce the symptoms of colds, flu, and diabetes. It also helps to relieve constipation, diarrhea, and hemorrhoids. Drink 1-2 glasses each day. Increase the quantity if necessary. Drinking any of these juices between meals will help you to get rid of constipation and keep your bowels moving. Rudy Silva has a degree in Physics and is a Natural Nutritionist. He is the author of Constipation, Acne, Hemorrhoid, and Fatty Acid ebooks. For information on constipation and other remedy ebooks go to: http://www.stop-constipation.com See some of his newsletters at: http://www.natural-remedies-thatwork.com/archive.html Copyright Rudy Silva - http://www.stop-constipation.com