Constipation

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Constipation is a condition of the digestive system where a person (or other animal) experiences difficulty in eliminating feces. Most doctors do not consider a person constipated unless they are experiencing difficulty passing hard, dry stool, and there has been a decrease in the number of bowel movements from the amount that's normal for the person. A person can present with a decrease in bowel movements, along with signs of diarrhea and still be considered constipated. This is usually due to the stool being impacted in the colon which impedes normal absorption of water, causing the waste material that does come out to be watery.

Contents

1 Causes

2 Prevention

2.1 1. Eat more fiber
2.2 2. Consume liquid
2.3 3. Participate in regular exercise
2.4 4. Allow yourself enough time to have a bowel movement
2.5 5. Only use laxatives on doctors advice
2.6 6. Consult your doctor on any current medications you are taking

3 Points to Remember

4 Constipation in Art

5 External links

Causes

Some of the main causes of constipation include:

Constriction, where part of the intestine or rectum is narrowed or blocked, not allowing feces to move past
Paralysis, where peristaltic action is diminished or absent, so that feces are not moved along
Excessive drying of feces, due to dehydration, forming a hard bulk that cannot be eliminated
Insufficient intake of food or dietary fiber, so that a suitable bolus is not formed
Psychosomatic constipation, based on anxiety or unfamiliarity with surroundings. Two forms: functional constipation, and constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome, characterized by a combination of constipation and abdominal discomfort and/or pain.

These causes may have a multiplicity of causes themselves.

People may take laxatives to try to eliminate constipation. Earlier remedies included enemas.

Constipation means that a person has three bowel movements or fewer in a week. The stool is hard and dry. Sometimes it is painful to pass. The subject may feel "draggy" and full.

A common misconception holds that one should have a bowel movement every day. This is not really true. There is no "right" number of bowel movements. Each person's body finds its own normal number of bowel movements. It depends on the food one eats, how much one exercises, and other things.

At one time or another, almost everyone gets constipated. In most cases, it lasts for a short time and is not serious. When one understands what causes constipation, one can take steps to prevent it.

Prevention

Changing what one eats and drinks and how much one exercises will help relieve and prevent constipation. Here are other steps one may take.

1. Eat more fiber

Fiber helps form soft, bulky stool. It is found in many vegetables, fruits, and grains. Be sure to add fiber a little at a time, so your body gets used to it slowly. Limit foods that have little or no fiber such as ice cream, cheese, meat, snacks like chips and pizza, and processed foods such as instant mashed potatoes or already-prepared frozen dinners. The chart below lists some high-fiber foods.

Fruits

Vegetables

Breads, Cereals, and Beans

Black-eyed peas, cooked
Kidney beans, cooked
Lima beans, cooked
Whole-grain cereal, cold (All-Bran, Total, Bran Flakes)
Whole-grain cereal, hot (oatmeal, Wheatena)
Whole-wheat or 7-grain bread

2. Consume liquid

Liquid helps keep the stool soft and easy to pass, therefore making it important drink suitable amounts fluids. Attempt to abstain from caffeine or alcohol, as caffeine and alcohol dry out the digestive system.

3. Participate in regular exercise

Regular exercise helps your digestive system stay active and healthy. A short, brisk walk every day has been shown to have beneficial effects.

4. Allow yourself enough time to have a bowel movement

Sometimes we feel so hurried that we don't pay attention to our body's needs. Make sure you don't ignore the urge to have a bowel movement.

5. Only use laxatives on doctors advice

Laxatives are medicines that will cause bowel movement. Most people who are mildly constipated do not need laxatives. However, if previous methods have little or no effect, your doctor may recommend laxatives for a limited time.

Your doctor will tell you if you need a laxative and what type is most effective for your circumstance. Laxatives come in many forms: liquid, chewing gum, pills, and powder that you mix with water, for example.

6. Consult your doctor on any current medications you are taking

Some medicines can cause constipation. They include calcium pills, opioids, some antacids, iron pills, diuretics (water pills), and certain antidepressants. If you take medicine for other reasons, ask your doctor if constipation is a side-effect.

Points to Remember

Constipation affects almost everyone at one time or another.
Many people think they're constipated when really they aren't.
In most cases, following these simple tips will help prevent constipation:
- Eating a variety of foods, especially beans, bran, whole grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Drinking plenty of liquids.
- Exercising regularly.
- Not ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement.
- Understanding that normal bowel habits are different for everyone.
- If one's bowel habits change, check with one's doctor.
Most people with mild constipation do not need laxatives. However, doctors may recommend laxatives for a limited time for people with chronic constipation.
Medicines that you take for another problem might cause constipation.

Constipation in Art

Screamin' Jay Hawkins wrote and sang "Constipation Blues" while suffering a serious bout. He had the following to say about the condition:

"I never before had been constipated in my life and it didn't dawn on me until I was five hours on the stool in the hospital that nothin' was gonna happen. I had doctors give me enemas and still nothin' happened. I had tears in my eyes, and I noticed this beautiful roll of toilet paper and I took out a pencil and, at the bottom of the toilet paper, I started writin' the song backwards, from the bottom up. The more I rolled out the toilet paper, the more I got into the song. I wrote exactly as I felt, each movement, each sound, each pain..."

The Bonzo Dog Band recorded "The Strain" on the same subject.