WHAT IS CONSTIPATION?

Constipation medically means less than three bowel movements per week but usually, the definition varies from person to person as some call the passage of hard stool as constipation while others call infrequent, the irregular passage of stool generally hard feces and require straining but stool may be soft also on consistency with just infrequency.

Normal bowel movements in an adult may vary from three per day to three movements per week. In children there maybe 3 to 4 bowel movements per day and as they grow, bowel movements may decrease and children may typically have 2 to 3 bowel movements per day.
Constipation may cause further issues like hemorrhoids (due to continuous straining), fissures (due to hard stool), etc.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF CONSTIPATION?

Symptoms of constipation include:

• Infrequent, irregular passage of stool.
• Usually hard stool.
• Bloating of abdomen causing discomfort.
• Abdominal pain.
• Uncomfortable discomforting feeling due to unclear bowel movement.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF CONSTIPATION?

• When there is a slow movement of feces in the colon.
• People who have irritable bowel syndrome may suffer from constipation but may have a frequent bowel movement also.
• In case of celiac disease.
• Pelvic floor disorder can also cause constipation.
• Low intake of water and liquids.
• Low fiber intake.
• People who have a less active lifestyle may also suffer from constipation.

DIAGNOSIS OF CONSTIPATION?

Infrequent, the irregular passage of stool usually accompanied by hard stool with bloating of the abdomen would diagnose constipation.

TREATMENT FOR CONSTIPATION

Treatment for constipation includes advising the patient to take a diet rich in fibers with lots of fluid along with exercises.
Cases that are not better by dietary and lifestyle management need medication.

MANAGEMENT OF CONSTIPATION

• Advice patient to talk ample fibers in diet which can help in the bulk formation of stool and can cause frequent passage of formed but not hard stool.
• Advise patient to take plenty of fluid in form of water, juices, etc so the stool can get moisture and can pass easily and frequently.
• Ask the patient for regular physical exercise at least 4-5 times per week.
• Cases that are not better by conservative treatment need medicines.

HOMEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT OF CONSTIPATION

Many homeopathic medicines help in curing constipation despite the cause along with dietary management. Medicines like- sulphur, sepia, aloes, bryonia, nux vomica, graphites, pulsatilla, psorinum, and many more are very efficient in treating constipation depending on the symptoms of the patient.

DO’S AND DON’TS

DO’S

• Do regular exercise.
• Take a fiber-rich diet. Foods rich in high dietary fibers are whole wheat, brown rice, oatmeals, pears, carrots, bran.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Don’t be stressed.
• Do meditation.
• Eat papaya.

DON’TS

• Avoid spicy fried food.
• Avoid all-purpose flour (maida).
• Cheese, bananas cause constipation.

WATCH THE VIDEO TO UNDERSTAND HOW TO MANAGE CONSTIPATION