Constipation

Constipation is a common problem. It means either going to the toilet less often than usual to empty the bowels, or passing hard or painful stools. Constipation may be caused by not eating enough fibre, or not drinking enough fluids. It can also be a side-effect of certain medicines, or related to an underlying medical condition. Laxatives are a group of medicines that can treat constipation.

Constipation symptoms

If you are constipated it causes one or more of the following:

• Stools become hard and difficult or painful to pass.
• The time between bowel motion increases compared with your usual pattern. There is a large range of normal bowel habit. Some people normally go to the toilet to pass stools 2-3 times per day. For others, 2-3 times per week is normal. It is a change from your usual pattern that may mean that you are constipated. In general, passing a soft stool at least three times a week is considered normal.
• Sometimes, crampy pains occur in the lower part of your tummy (abdomen). You may also feel bloated and feel sick if you have severe constipation.
• It does not feel as though you have emptied your bowel or ‘finished’ after you have been to the toilet to pass a stool.

Causes

• Not eating enough fibre.
• Not drinking enough water
• Medicines can cause constipation as a side-effect. Examples are painkillers some antacids, some antidepressants, iron tablets.
• Less physical activity
• • Illness or injury.
  • Disability.
  • Frailty, or old age.
  • Depression.
  • Work patterns.
  • Obesity.
• Pregnancy

Treatment

• Dietary changes: Regular meals and a good fluid intake are the main lifestyle changes in preventing constipation. For the average adult 3liters fluid a day is a normal amount to drink.
• A high fibre diet: This may help some patients with constipation. This should include a mixture of high fibre foods.
  Examples are:

  1. Fruit.
  2. Vegetables.
  3. Nuts.
  4. Wholemeal bread and pasta.
  5. Wholegrain cereals and brown rice.

• Exercises: Yoga positions, such as Dhanurasana, Halasana, Paschimottanasana, Yoga Mudra, Shalabhasana, and Bhujangasana. Breathing or Pranayamas
• Hydrotherapy: Hip bath, graduated immersion bath, Colon Hydrotherapy
• Mud application on abdomen
• Castor oil pack
• Gastro hepatic pack
• Neutral abdomen pack