| CONSTIPATIONBy Ricky Parker |
If you are suffering from irregular bowel movements with dry, hard and small size stool or if you feel pain at the time of bowel movement or feeling bloating and straining, then you are suffering from constipation. Generally normal stool elimination depends upon person to person, it may be three times in a day or it may be three times in a week.
One of the causes of constipation is bad eating habits. Generally constipation is not a serious problem and by understanding its causes, and taking proper treatment we can feel relief soon.
Causes of Constipation
There are several causes of constipation like lack of fiber diet, dehydration, less physical activity, problems with the colon and rectum, irritable bowel syndrome, abuse of laxatives, problems in intestine and some time change in daily routine etc. When colon absorbs too much water and contraction of colon muscle is also slow, can result in constipation.
Identification of Cause
Tests related to constipation depend upon its seriousness and duration of constipation. Various things must be checked like blood in stool, weight loss, and change in bowel habits etc. Generally testing is not required and constipation can be treated by changing the diet of a person and advising him to do exercises. Some times for diagnosis and treatment doctor advice various physical and medical examinations.
In case of medical examination doctor ask patient duration of symptoms, frequency of bowel movements, presence of blood in stool and various other factors like eating habits, about physical activities etc.
In case of physical examination doctors generally checks the tone of the muscle that generally closes the anus and also to detect obstruction or blood. In some cases, doctor generally advice for thyroid test and serum calcium to rule the condition of other diseases.
Some other tests which doctor advice to identify the cause of constipation include colorectal transit study, anorectal function tests, defecography , barium enema x ray and sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy.
Treatment of Constipation
Generally treatment of constipation depends upon various factors like causes and duration, but you can easily get relief from constipation by changing some of your dietary habits and lifestyle.
Diet – A fiber rich diet generally prevents you from constipation. If you are not sure about your diet then you can also take advice from dietician. A dietitian can help you to plan out an appropriate diet which is rich in fiber like beans, whole grains and bran cereals, fresh fruits, and vegetables.
Lifestyle – You can also prevent you from constipation by changing your lifestyle. You should drink enough water and other liquids, such as fruit and other natural juices, which prevent from dehydration, daily exercise, and reserving enough time to have a bowel movement.
Laxatives - Doctor generally checks many condition before advice for laxatives. If some body is mildly constipated then he does not require laxatives. However if you are suffering from constipation after changing your diet and lifestyle, then in that case doctors recommends laxatives for limited time. These treatments can help you to retrain a chronically sluggish bowel.
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Comments for "CONSTIPATION"
February, 2008
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