A large number of people wrongly believe themselves to be suffering from constipation if they do not get bowel movement everyday. An outcome of errant eating habits and sedentary lifestyle in most cases , constipation is a very common complaint and tends to be under – diagnosed. A large number of people with chronic constipation use over-the-counter laxatives and millions of dollars are spent annually to treat this condition. The problem with laxatives is that they provide only temporary relief and tend to be habit forming many times. Homeopathy can provide effective treatment for constipation, one that is safe yet non habit-forming.
WHAT EXACTLY IS CONSTIPATION?
• Having a bowel movement fewer than three times per week.
• Having stools which are hard, dry, small in size and difficult to eliminate.
Causes of Constipation:
Constipation, in most cases, is an outcome of faulty eating habits and lack of exercise. Normally, as the food gets digested, it passes from stomach through the small intestine into the large intestine. Most of the water from the remaining undigested food gets reabsorbed in the large intestine. If the large intestine (colon) absorbs too much of water due to slow movement of the undigested food, the stools that are formed become dry and hard.
SOME OF THE COMMON TRIGGERS OF CONSTIPATION INCLUDE:
• Poor intake of fluids - drinking less of water and other fluids.
• Less fiber in diet- Fiber is important in maintaining a soft, bulky stool
• Ignoring the urge for stools when there is one
• Sedentary lifestyle - not much of activity
• Change in routine, travelling
• Pregnancy and childbirth
• Colonic inertia - Colonic inertia is a condition in which the nerves and / or muscles of the colon do not work normally. As a result, the contents of the colon are not propelled through the colon normally.
• Pelvic floor dysfunction -Pelvic floor dysfunction refers to a condition in which the muscles of the lower pelvis that surround the rectum (the pelvic floor muscles) do not work normally.
• Medications – The most common offending medications include: Antacids : Those containing aluminum hydroxide and calcium carbonat , Antidepressants , Iron tablets.
• Hormonal disorders -Hormones can affect bowel movements. For example -Too little thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism) and too much parathyroid hormone (by raising the calcium levels in the blood) can cause constipation.
Symptoms
• Bloated feeling in the abdomen ,Sluggishness in general. Unsatisfied feeling after passing stools, feeling of incomplete evacuation .Rectal fullness needing manual evacuation of stools . Cramping in the lower abdomen . Mouth ulcers .Bad breath . Nausea . Loss of appetite
Complications
• Prolapse of rectum
• Fissure-in-ano (cracks in the anus due to passage of hard stools)
• Hemorrhoids (Piles)
Self-care tips
• Include plenty of vegetables, salads and fruits in your diet
• Chew your food properly; do not swallow food in a hurry.
• Drink at least 6-8 glasses of water daily
• Eat only when hungry
• Replacing polished rice with unpolished rice and white bread with brown bread is very useful for those suffering from habitual constipation
• Regular exercise
• Avoid over-the-counter laxatives
• Preferably go to the toilet at the same time every day to ensure regular bowel movements
• A glass of warm milk before sleeping helps in relieving constipation
Homeopathy treatment:-
Homeopathic remedies gently bring the functionality of the bowels back to normal. This helps in regularization of bowel movements as well in the formation of stools of normal consistency. After starting Homeopathy treatment, most patients can reduce their dependence on laxatives, purgatives, cathartics, etc. successfully.
The diseases like colonic inertia, hormonal disorders, diseases affecting colon like diabetes, dysfunction of the pelvic floor causing constipation as a major symptom can effectively be treated with homeopathy.
The treatment improves the blood supply of the colon and other parts of digestive system thus curing constipation from its root.
The remedies strengthen the muscles of the colon helping them to contract and relax normally and this helps in treating completely.
