All you should know about Constipation

Different organs constitute our digestive organ system. Gastrointestinal tracts are classified into functional and organic. When there is a disturbance in this function then GI tract disorders can occur. 

Digestive disorders are the most common disorders and problems in health care. Almost 30-40% adult faced the problem like indigestion. In many disorders with the help of nutritious and proper dietary guidelines, the condition becomes better. 

Constipation is faced by many people in their life. Let me tell you briefly about how it can cause or what you should do for the treatments. 

Constipation has been described in terms of both the character and frequency of stool. Normal bowel frequency ranges from three bowel movements per day to one movement every three days. A constipated stool is dry, hard, and difficult to pass. 

Many symptoms attribute to constipation, such as headache, malaise (a general feeling of illness), bad taste in the mouth, foul breath, coated tongue, and lack of appetite.
There are two types of constipation one is short-term which is acute constipation and another is long-term constipation which is chronic constipation. 

An acute change in bowel habits, particularly over the age of 40, is a cause for concern because it may be a symptom of a colonic neoplasm. Other acute causes are a sudden decrease in physical activity, change in diet, particularly reducing fiber, medication, and anal pain. 

Causes of constipation:

Decreased stool weight or bulk, usually from lack of dietary fiber. Certain fiber, such as bran, increasing stool water content and weight. Inadequate diet. 

Medications include those with anticholinergic properties, such as antidepressants and some anti-arrhythmic drugs, opiates, certain antacids, calcium channel blockers, and laxatives. Initially, laxatives stimulate the musculature of the bowel through irritant properties, but repeat, use induce hypotonia that responds only to more potent irritants, ultimately resulting in an atonic colon. It can also be referred to as "Laxative Addiction".

Failure to establish regular times for eating, adequate rest, and elimination. 

Depression, anorexia and insomnia, lack of sleep or rest, change in surroundings, irregular eating and elimination habits, organic disease such as diverticulosis. 

Lack of exercise/little or no physical activity since exercise stimulates colonic motility. Sometimes an illness forcing bed rest, frequently lead to constipation. 

Decreased propulsive activity, usually from medication but occasionally from intrinsic muscle diseases such as scleroderma, amyloid, and some neurological disorders. 

Faulty dietary habits like inadequate fluid and fiber intake or the use of highly refined and concentrated foods that leave little residue in the colon.

Change in one's usual routine brought on by illness, nervous tension, or a trip away from home. 

Intake of excessive alcohol, spices, tea, coffee, bran, or laxatives. Highly nervous people are more frequently affected by constipation. 

This all the causes as the list is high and I think every person can get an idea of how they get constipation. 

Now what you should keep in mind for the dietary treatment:

The first thing you should look after is fiber. Fiber is the best solution for constipation. You can eat plenty of fiber through raw vegetables and fruits. Other than fruits and vegetables, there is bran is found in whole-grain cereals and legumes. All refined cereals should be substituted from the diet. 

The most important factor is the water holding capacity of fiber. a person should be taken coarse bran as a breakfast cereal. One tablespoon of bran may be taken in the first week and two thereafter. They will more palatable by adding more cooked fruits. 

Fruits and vegetables whose fiber holds water effectively are oranges, apples, carrots, and the cabbage family. A diet filled with raw vegetables is good but for fruits, there should two such fruits should be eaten with skin and seed. 

Along with fiber, water also plays an important role. The consumption of 10-12 glasses of water a day is useful the intestinal contents are a semisolid state for easier passage along the tract. For some people, 1/2 glasses of hot water or warm water with lemon are very effective and also when given before breakfast in the morning. 

All foods containing fat such as bacon, ghee, cream, oil, etc must be included since fatty acids present in them stimulate the mucosal movements. 

Castor oil or mineral oil (such as paraffin) if medically advised, must be taken long after the meals since it interferes with the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. 

A large amount of fluids in the form of liquid or high fluid foods help in some persons. Tea or coffee should be taken in less amount or just avoid them. The other option for liquid is soup, whether clear or with cream, which is nourishing and supplies a good amount of electrolytes and water. 

How to change faulty habits into a good ones:

Regula toilet among young children and persistent and unhurried attempts to move the bowels at the same time each day by adults is important to overcome and prevent constipation.

Anxiety, worry, fatigue, and change of lifestyle may cause stress which in turn leads to constipation.

In short, stress should be avoided. And drinking plenty of water also keeps constipation away. 

Regular consumption of salad, fruits is also a good option to keep away constipation. 

The entire nutritional supply of the body is totally dependent on the normal functioning of the digestive system. Problems with the system can jeopardize the nutritional status of the whole body and all in emergency supplementation with the intravenous supply of water, electrolytes, and sugar. Therefore, the therapeutic diet is planned to give rest to the digestive organs, ensuring the necessary supplies to the body through almost predigested foods. 

Eat healthy, home-based foods, include salad and fruits, and drink plenty of water is the solution for constipation.

Stay healthy and stay safe.