Constipation & Related Issues

What is exactly constipation?

Most people have a bowel movement ( in common language- motions/ stools/ potty ) daily, more or less on a specific time, for example morning.

Not having motions daily, or having them irregularly is constipation.

Having motions daily, but with difficulty, straining , pain or bleeding is also a sign of constipation. ( In addition to having an issue like piles, anal fissure, fistula, etc)

Having dry & hard stools is constipation.

For some its not regular, it may be 5 times a week or on different times.
If this causes any discomfort in anus, feeling to bloating / fullness in the abdomen, it need to be addressed.

KIDS often suffer from constipation because of various reasons-

1. Toddlers and younger kids tend to hold potty for various reasons like while playing or at school, they may forget to poop or hold stools for long time, which later becomes dark and hard.

2. Pain may cause holding it further.

3. Diet poor in fibre ( vegetables, fruits) if one major cause.

4. Too much intake of processed food like pasta, cheese, noodles , biscuits .

5. During a phase of sickness, kids tend to eat and drink less , so this leads to constipation.

6. Poor water intake.

7. Iron supplements

8. Excess intake of meat, eggs, milk , in absence of fibre to balance diet.

ADULTS may have constipation due to above mentioned reasons and the following-

1. Thyroid disease
2. OC pills or hormone pills
3. IBS or Irritable bowel disease , where there are phases of loose stools followed by phases of constipation .
4. Working in shifts and irregular sleep timings.
5. Fasting
6. High protein diet, devoid of fibre

7. Certain medicines may cause constipation.

What happens if I have constipation for long time?

Straining may cause a tear at anus, commonly known as ANAL FISSURE.
This causes further pain, bleeding and itching .

Prolonged constipation may cause a vein to become swollen and pop out of anus in the form of PILES or HEMORRHOIDS.

Piles can be internal ( not seen , but bleed) , or external ( come out of anus , felt as small bumps , which may bleed at times.
Infection may occur in addition to this forming a FISTULA , in some patients .

Besides this, there are things like bloating, feeling gassy, irritability and dullness of mood , poor appetite which is experienced if one is constipated.

HOW TO GET RID OF CONSTIPATION AND RELATED ISSUES?

Changes in diet and lifestyle is the foremost thing, besides taking medication .
Alternative therapy like homoeopathy provides safe and non- habit forming medicines for constipation. Also for non-surgical treatment for piles, fissure and other symptoms you may seek help of homeopathy

DIET FOR CONSTIPATION:

1. Increased intake of water, it should be enough to have light colored urine and soft and easy stools. 4 glasses of warm water each day ensures soft stools. ( Besides your regular water intake).

2. Vegetables smoothies – made from commonly available vegetables like cucumber, carrots, tomato, ginger, lemon , spinach etc. Increased intake of vegetables in general and LEAFY ones in particular.

3. Dried fruits like apricots, dates, raisins on a daily basis.

4. Sweet fruits like mango, chiku, papaya, figs, ripe banana, jamun.

5. Curd & yoghurt , I recommend use of home made one.

6. Increasing intake of fibre in form of whole grain ( dalia, hand pounded rice) ,whole dal , roasted channa is one big sources of fibre.

7. Switching to healthy snacks like makahna, fruits, whole wheat biscuits, nuts, pop corn, channa , rather then having maida bisutis, vada pav, Maggie.

8. While fasting- instead of having SABUDANA , instead having raita, fruits, salads.

9. Intake of GHEE or clarified butter improves bowel movments. A cup of whole milk added with a teaspoon of ghee at night is a mild and natural laxative.

LIFESTYLE CHANGES;:

1. Avoid sitting for long hours.
2. Applying ghee/ Vaseline/ coconut oil around anus, keeps skin moist and soft.
3. Exercise daily
4. Avoid sleeping immediately after meals.
5. Learn to cook , order less food from outside, uninstall apps to order food, as they send discount offers to lure customers.
6. Sleeping & eating on regular time.
7. Mindful eating.

Seeking medical help timely is important as many times the illness gets worse and turns into a painful , emergency.

Thanks for reading!