What is Constipation?

What is Constipation? What are its Symptoms, Causes, Prevention and How will it be Treated

You’re not alone if you’re feeling constipated, one of the most common stomach issues.

Every year, at least 2.5 million people visit their doctor because of constipation.

INTRODUCTION:

Constipation is when a person has difficulty passing stool. It can also cause pain in abdomen. Bloating, nausea and other symptoms.
It depending on the other causes ,medical treatment and home remedies may help.

constipation can happen many more reasons ,such as when stool passes through the colon too slowly. slower the food moves through the digestive tract, the more water the colon absorbs ,and the harder feces becomes.

Causes of constipation

There are many causes of constipation, including lifestyle factors, medications and medical conditions.
Lifestyle factors: common lifestyle causes of constipation include:

1. Not eating enough fiber
2. not drinking enough water (dehydration)
3. not getting enough exercise.

Basic symptoms of constipation includes:

1. Straining to have bowel movement.
2. Feeling like you still need yo have a bowel movement, even after you had one.
3. Having hard ,dry stool that is difficult to pass.
4. Having fewer than 3 bowel movement in a week

Preventive measures for constipation :

1) Maintain a balanced diet:

consuming a diet rich in fiber, fruit, vegetables and adequate flulid can prevent constipation.

2) Stay active:

incorporating regular physical activity into your routine can promote healthy digestion and prevent constipation.

3) Manage stress:

stress can affect bowel function, so practicing relaxation technique such as meditation or yoga may help prevent constipation.

4) Limited use of laxative:

overuse of laxative can leads to dependency and worsen constipation over time.they should oy be used as a short term solution.

5) Seek medical advice:

if constipation persists despite lifestyle modification, consulting a healthcare professionals is advisable to rule out underlying medical conditions

Treatment Options for constipation :

1) Dietary changes :

increasing fiver intake by consuming fruits, vegetables ,whole grains and legumes can help soften stools and promote regular bowel movements

2) Hydration :

drinking an adequate amount of water throughout the day can prevent dehydration and soften stools, easing their passage.

4) lifestyle modification:

Established a regular toilet and taking time to respond to the body’s Natural urge to have a bowel movement can prevent constipation.

3) Regular exercise:

Engaging in regular physical activity stimulates bowel physical activity stimulates bowel movement and promote overall digestive health.

5) Over-the-counter (OTC) remedies :

laxative, stool softeners and fiber supplements can provide relief from constipation when dietary and lifestyle.

6) Prescription medication:

in cases of chronic medical condition, a healthcare provider may prescribe medications to improve bowel function.

7) Biofeedback therapy:

this therapy can help individuals learn to control and improve individual from to control and improve the coordination of pelvic floor muscles for more effective bowel movement.

Note: you should see your doctor if these symptoms don’t go away.

You should also see a doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Bleeding from your rectum or blood in your stool
• inability to pass gas.
• vomiting
• fever
• lower back pain
• weight loss without trying.

Chronic (ongoing) Constipation can lead to complication including:

• Anal fissure ( a tear in the skin around your anus )
• stool impaction ( when your stool becomes too large to pass on your own).
• Hemorrhoids
• Rectal prolapse ( when a smell piece of your intestine comes out of anus from straining to have a bowel movement) .
• Encopresis ( when your bowel are so backed up that only liquid can pass through) .
• Many people mistake this for diarrhea take anti – diarrheal medicine. Make constipation even worse.
• Complications of constipation can become serious if left untreated. They may required surgery.

HOME REMEDIES:

• Increase fiber intake: incorporated more fruits and vegetables, whole grains and legumes into your diet. Foods like apples, pears, berries, broccoli, and beans and great sources of fiber that can help promote regular bowel movement.
• Stay hydrated:  drink plenty of water throughout the day. Staying hydrated helps soften the stool. Making it easier to pass. aim 8 glasses of water daily.
• Prunes and prune juice: these are well known for their naturally occurring laxative effects. Eating handful of prunes or drinking glass of prune juice help to stimulates bowel movements.
• Warm lemon water: drinking warm water with lemon juice in the morning can help to start digestive system and promote regular bowel movements.
• Olive oil:  a tablespoon of olive oil with an empty stomach can help to lubricate the stool.
• Herbal tea: certain herbal tea like ginger tea can provide relief constipation.

• Apple cider vinegar:  mixing a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and drinking it before meals may help in digestion and relief constipation