Constipation
Constipation is a common disturbance of the digestive
tract, in this condition, the bowels do not move regularly, or are not
completely emptied when they move.
Constipation is the chief cause of many diseases as
such a condition produces toxins which find their way into the blood stream and
are carried to all parts of the body. This results in weakening of the vital
organs and lowering of the resistance of the entire system. Appendicitis,
rheumatism, arthritis, high blood pressure, cataract and cancer are only a few
of the diseases in which chronic constipation is an important predisposing
factor. The number of motions required for normal health varies from person to
person. Most people have one motion a day, some have two a day, while others have
one every other day. However, for comfort and health, at least one clear bowel
movement a day is essential and considered normal.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of constipation are
infrequency, irregularity or difficulty of elimination due to hard fecal
matter. Among the other symptoms are a coated tongue, foul breath, loss of
appetite, headache, dizziness, dark circles under the eyes, depression, nausea,
pimples on the face, ulcer in the mouth, constant fullness in the abdomen,
diarrhea alternating with constipation, varicose veins, pain in the lumber
region, acidity, heart burn, and insomnia.
Causes
The most important causes for chronic constipation
are wrong diet and a faulty style of living. All foods in their natural state
contain a good percentage of ‘ropughage’ which is most essential in preserving
natural balance of foods and also in helping peristalsis - the natural rhythmic
action by means of which the food is passed down the alimentary canal. Much of
the food we eat today is very deficient in natural bulk or roughage and this
results in chronic constipation. Intake of refined and rich food lacking in
vitamins and minerals, insufficient intake of water, consumption of meat in
large quantities, excessive use of strong tea and coffee, insufficient chewing,
overeating and wrong combination of foods, irregular habits of eating and
drinking may all contribute to poor bowel function. Other causes include faulty
and irregular habit of defecation, frequent use of purgatives, weakness of
abdominal muscles due to sedentary habits, lack of physical activity and
emotional stress and strain. Diseases such as tumours or growths, a sluggish
liver, colitis, spastic condition of the intestine, hyperacidity, diseases of
the rectum and colon, bad teeth, uterine diseases, diabetes, use of certain
drugs for treating other ailments, abnormal condition of the lower spine and
enlargement of the prostate glands can also cause chronic constipation.
Treatment
The most important factor in curing constipation is a
natural and simple diet. This should consist of unrefined food such as whole
grain cereals, bran, honey, molasses, and lentills; green and leafy vegetables,
especially spinach, French beans, tomatoes, lettuce, onion, cabbage, cauliflower,
brussel sprouts, celery, turnip, pumpkin, peas, beets, asparagus, carrot; fresh
fruits, especially pears, grapes, figs, papayas, mangoes, grapefruit,
gooseberries, guava and oranges; dry fruits such as figs, raisins, apricots and
dates ; milk products in the form of butter, ghee and cream. The diet alone is
not enough. Food should be properly chewed-each morsel for at least 15 times. Hurried
meals and meals at odd times should be avoided. Sugar and sugary foods should
be strictly avoided because sugar steals B vitamins from the body, without
which the intestines cannot function normally. Foods which constipate are all
products made of white flour, rice, bread, pulses, cakes, pastries, biscuits,
cheese, fleshy foods, preserves, white sugar and hard-boiled eggs. Regular
drinking of water is beneficial not only for constipation but also for cleaning
the system, diluting the blood and washing out poisons. Normally six to eight
glasses of water should be taken daily as it is essential for digesting and
dissolving food nutrients so that they can be absorbed and used by the body.
Water should, however, not be taken with meals as it dilutes the gastric juices
essential for proper digestion. Water should be taken either half an hour
before or an hour after meals.
Generally all fruits, except banana and jack fruit,
are beneficial in the treatment of constipation. Certain fruits are however,
more effective. Bael fruit is regarded as best of all laxatives. It cleans and
tones up the intestines. Its regular use for two or three months throws out
even the old accumulated fecal matter. Though generally used to check diarrhea,
bael contains both laxative and constipative properties. It hardens the stools
when they are loose and serves as a laxative when the bowels are constipated.
It should be preferably used in its original form and before dinner. About 60
grams of the fruit will suffice for an adult. Pears are regarded the next best
fruit beneficial in the treatment of constipation.
Patients suffering from chronic constipation should
better adopt an exclusive diet of this fruit or its juice for few days, but in
ordinary cases a medium-sized pear taken after dinner or with breakfast will have
the desired effect. The same is true of guava which, when eaten with seeds,
gives roughage to the diet and helps in the normal evacuation of the bowels. Grapes
have also proved highly beneficial in overcoming constipation. The combination
of the properties of the cellulose, sugar and organic acid in grapes make them
a laxative food. Their field of action is not limited to clearing the bowels
only. They also tone up the stomach and intestines and relieve the most chronic
constipation. One should take at least 350 grams of grapes daily to achieve the
desired results. When fresh grapes are not available, raisins soaked in water
can be used. Raisins should be soaked in a tumblerful of drinking water for 24
to 48 hours. This would swell them to the original size of the grapes. The
raisins should be eaten early in the morning. The water in which raisins are
soaked should be drunk along with the soaked raisins.
Drinking hot water with sour lime juice and half a
teaspoon of salt is also an effective remedy for constipation. Drinking water
which has been kept overnight in a copper vessel, the first thing in the
morning will bring good results. Linseed is extremely useful in difficult cases
of constipation. A teaspoon of linseed swallowed with water before each meal
provides both bulk and lubrication. In all ordinary cases of constipation, an
exclusive fruit diet for about seven days would be the best way to begin the
treatment. For long-standing and stubborn cases, it should be advisable to have
a short fast for four or five days. This will drive out the packed contents of
the bowels, eliminate toxins and purify the blood stream. Weak patients may
take orange juice during the period of fasting. After the all-fruit diet or the
short fast, as the case may be, the patient should gradually embark upon a
balanced diet comprising adequate raw foods, ripe fruits and whole grain
cereals. It some cases, further short periods on fruits or short fasts may be
necessary at intervals of two months or so, depending on the progress being
made. The bowels should be cleansed daily through a warm water enema for a few
days at the commencement of the treatment.
A cold friction bath taken daily in the morning can
help cure constipation. An alternate hot and cold hit bath taken before
retiring to bed is also beneficial. Abdominal exercise and manual or mechanical
vibratory massage have a refreshing and stimulating effect in many cases. Toning
up the muscles also helps in the treatment of constipation. Fresh air, outdoor
games, walking, swimming, gardening and exercise play an important role in strengthening
and activating the muscles, thereby preventing constipation. Certain yogic
asanas also help to bring relief from constipation as they strengthen the
abdominal and pelvic muscles and stimulate the peristalic action of the bowels.
These asanas are: bhujansana, shalabhasana, yogamudra, dhanurasana, halasana,
paschimotanasana. Pranayamas such as anuloma-viloma and bhastrika and jalaneti
kriys are also helpful.
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