subject: How to Treat Chronic Constipation [print this page] How to Treat Chronic Constipation How to Treat Chronic Constipation
Chronic constipation means a person experiences the symptoms of constipation for several months- having bowel movements less than three times per week. Many people who think they hay have this problem could be inaccurate on keeping track of their bowel movements, often causing a mis-diagnosis.
First, it's important to understand what exactly causes constipation. Essentially, constipation is the improper functioning of the digestive system that impedes regular bowel movements. As a result, stools become hard and difficult to pass. This can be caused by poor diet, medication side effects, insufficient hydration, or lack of exercise. So let's first examine medications as chronic constipation cures.
A change in your schedule. When there are significant changes in your daily schedule, it follows that your daily habits also change including mealtimes. If you frequently undergo schedule changes, you are prone to chronic constipation.Unhealthy diet. Bad eating habits can cause this incessant problem. If you like eating foods like pasta, white bread, cheese and other processed foods, your body tends to become lethargic. Drinking alcoholic beverages, tea and coffee also cause chronic constipation. Balance your diet by adding fiber-rich foods and lessen your intake of meat.
Herbal laxative is a constipation remedy that is purely natural based. In fact, one of the most known versions of herbal remedy is tea. Tea is a laxative remedy that can be sipped and savored as much as you want but more pleasant that those that go in other end and no one can deny this fact. Also a homemade laxative remedies fit in the herbal category are Castor oil and mineral oil. However be careful in using Castor oil for it can be a very strong constipation laxative and could cause severe cramping and painful gas in some people.
Constipation occurs when the colon absorbs too much water. This absorption makes it difficult for stool to move through and out of the colon. This condition is normally characterized by hard stools, difficulty or straining to pass stools, feeling that the bowels are blocked or obstructed and a sense of incomplete emptying after each bowel movement. Clinically, constipation is defined as having less than three bowel movements per week.
Bulk laxatives - a more intense fiber constipation laxative option. Depending on the doctor's prescription, some of the chronic constipation remedies are made from all natural ingredients, for example Guar Gum. It is made from the seed of a Cyamopsis tetragonoloba scrub and its effectiveness is due to the soluble fiber content. However, bulk laxatives could also be artificial as in the case of calcium polycarbophil but this one is resistant to bacterial degrading, which gives it time to work fully. Bulk laxatives usually prescribed for serious or chronic constipation problems.
Chronic constipation is caused by the habit of delaying when you feel the urge to go. This urge comes and goes so do not lose the opportunity. If stool stays in the bowel, the body reabsorbs the water thus making it dry and harder to pass. The urge to go usually happens after meal times; don't ignore your body's signals.