Constipation: it's causes, symptoms and treatment.
Overview:
Constipation is a
condition of the digestive system where the individual has solid
stools that are difficult to expel in most cases,
and this happens because the colon has absorbed a lot of water from the food inside it.
and this happens because the colon has absorbed a lot of water from the food inside it.
Causes:
Constipation occurs when the colon absorbs a lot of water,
which can occur if the colon muscles contract slowly or badly, causing the
stool to move very slowly and lose more water.
These are the
most common causes of constipation:
1) Lack of
fiber in diet:
People whose diets include a good quantity of fiber are
significantly less likely to suffer from constipation.
It is important to consume foods high in fiber such as
fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Fiber promotes bowel movement and prevents
constipation.
Foods that are low in fiber include high-fat foods, such as
cheese, meat, and eggs.
2) Physical
inactivity:
Constipation can occur if a person becomes physically
inactive. This occurs especially in the elderly.
3) Some drugs:
The most common
medications to cause constipation are:
- Narcotic (opioid) pain drugs including codeine (Tylenol),
oxycodone (Percocet), and hydromorphone (Diluted).
- Antidepressants including amitriptyline (Elavil) and
imipramine (Tofranil).
- Anticonvulsants including phenytoin (Dilantin) and
carbamazepine (Tegretol) iron supplements.
- Calcium channel blocking drugs including diltiazem
(Cardizem) and nifedipine (Procardia).
- Aluminum-containing antacids including Amphojel and
Basaljel.
- Diuretics including chlorothiazide (Diuril).
4) Milk:
Some people become constipated when they consume milk and
dairy products.
People with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) get constipation
much more frequently, compared to the rest of the population.
6) Pregnancy:
Pregnancy brings about hormonal changes that can make a
woman more prone to constipation. Also, the uterus may compress the intestine,
slowing down the passage of food.
7) Aging:
As we age, our metabolism slows down, resulting in less
intestinal activity. The muscles in the digestive system do not work as well as
they are used to.
8) Overuse of
laxatives:
Laxatives are effective. They help bowel movements.
However, their use regularly allows the body to get used to their work and
gradually the dose needs to be increased to get the same effect. Laxatives can
be a habit of forming. When we rely on it, there is a great risk of
constipation when it is stopped.
9) Not going to the toilet when
needed:
If individuals ignore the desire to get bowel movement, the
desire can gradually go away until the individual no longer feels the need to
go and the longer you are so delayed, the drier and harder the stool will
become.
10) Not
drinking enough water (dehydration):
If constipation already exists, drinking more fluids cannot
alleviate it. Although, drinking much of water regularly reduces the risk of
constipation.
Many soft drinks and drinks contain caffeine that can cause
dehydration and aggravate constipation. Alcohol also dehydrates the body and
must be avoided by individuals who are constipation or very susceptible to
constipation.
11) Problems
with the colon or rectum
Tumors can compress or restrict the passages and cause
constipation.
Other problems may cause constipation such as diverticulosis,
adhesions (scar tissue), and abnormal narrowing of the colon or rectum.
Hirschsprung
disease: People who have this disease are liable to constipation. Hirschsprung
disease is a genetic defect in which some nerve cells are absent in the large
intestine.
Treatment:
Treatment of recurrent constipation may include changes in
lifestyle, such as exercising more, eating more fiber, and drinking more water.
Usually, laxatives will cure most constipation cases
successfully - but should be used with care and only when necessary. In the
most difficult cases, a person may need a prescription medication.
It is important to understand the cause of constipation -
there may be a disease or latent condition. Some people with recurrent
constipation use diary notes to record bowel movements, stool characteristics,
and other factors that may help both the doctor and patient to create the best
treatment.
Some gastrointestinal doctors say there are people who do
not devote enough time to defecate. Dedicate enough time to allow your toilet
to be uninterrupted and uninterrupted, and do not ignore the desire to get
bowel movement.
OTC laxatives
Only use these laxatives as a last resort:
- Stimulants - they make the muscles in the intestines contract rhythmically. These
include Correctol, Dulcolax, and Senokot.
- Lubricants - they help the stool move down the colon more easily. These
include mineral oil and Fleet.
- Stool
softeners - they rehydrate
(moisten) the stool. These include Colace and Surfak.
- Fiber
supplements - these are
perhaps the safest laxatives. They are also called bulk laxatives. They include
FiberCon, Metamucil, Konsyl, Serutan, and Citrucel and should be taken with
plenty of water.
- Osmotics - they facilitate the movement of fluids through the colon. These include
Cephulac, Sorbitol, and Miralax.
- Saline laxatives - these draw water into the colon. These include milk of magnesia.
- Chloride
channel activators - these require
a prescription and include lubiprostone (Amitiza).
- 5-HT-4
agonists They increase
fluid secretion in the intestines and accelerate the rate of food passing
through the colon. They include Procalloprid.
In the case of the treatment doesn’t affect , we have to do
surgery to remove part of the colon. In this surgery , the segment which is responsible
for disease form the anal sphincter or rectum are removed.
Constipation: it's causes, symptoms and treatment.
Reviewed by
Tpdsm
on
September 28, 2017
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