Constipation describes situations wherein patients have difficulty moving their bowels. From most of the persons complaining of Constipation, only a very few have any serious underlying disease that needs specialized tests and treatment by a gastroenterologist.
Educating the patient about worrying too much about bowel patterns can treat most of the cases. Bowel training – attempting a bowel movement everyday at the same time, preferably early mornings when colon activity is high – can be practiced. The food habits form the important part of the remedy. Eating high-fiber foods like cereals, vegetables and fruits helps a great deal. Limiting foods like ice cream, cheese, meat and processed foods is also preferable. Drinking 1.5 – 2 liters of water per day is essential, as is avoiding dehydrating drinks containing caffeine and alcohol. Regular exercise, besides having other health benefits, is a must for avoiding Constipation.
The diagnosis of Constipation is done using methods like physical examination, colorectal transit study, anorectal function tests, barium enema x ray and sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy.
If no appreciable improvement takes place with the lifestyle changes, then a bulk-forming laxative is indicated. Psyllium and methylcellulose are bulk-forming laxatives which can be used for a long time without side effects. Next in line are medications like hyprosmotics, lactulose, Polyethylene glycol, Glycerin and Sorbitol, and Salines like magnesium hydroxide, magnesium citrate and sodium phosphate. The third-line medications are Anthraquinones like Cascara sagrada, Emollients such as Docusates, Senna and mineral oil, and stimulants such as Phenolpthalein, castor oil or Bisacodyl.
The use of the above medicines must be under strict supervision by healthcare professionals, and only done as a short-term measure, since most of them have side effects. Patients under the administration of laxatives should aim at stopping them slowly. In most cases, the ability of the colon to contract will be restored after some time. Enemas and suppositories are used as an emergency treatment. Surgery should be considered as a last resort when all other measures fail.
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Dog Constipation
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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A dog should defecate at least once in two days, with soft feces. The dog suffers from Constipation if it does not do so. Mechanical obstructions such as tumors, strictures and foreign bodies are the most probable causes of initial Constipation. The ingestion of large...
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Chronic Constipation
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Constipation can be divided into three categories, by the time it takes to treat the problem. The short-term ones are caused by travel, diet, medication, surgery and other known causes. They mostly correct themselves. The medium-term ones are caused by low-fiber diet, low liquid consumption,...
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Constipation
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The general guidelines as to what is generally considered Constipation include bowel movement less than three times a week, hard and dry pellet-like stools, straining too much to pass stools, painful bowel movement, feeling of bloated stomach, uneasiness and sluggishness and a feeling of incomplete...
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Infant Constipation
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Concerning Infant Constipation, while all agree that hard, dry and painful stools are the symptoms of Constipation, the frequency of bowel movements is controversial amongst pediatricians. Normally a newborn infant does it quite frequently, eight to ten times a day for about four weeks until...
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Causes Of Constipation
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Most persons have suffered from Constipation at one time or other, due to change of diet, travel, surgery, medication, stress or many other simple causes. These are temporary bouts and correct themselves when properly settled in. Next in line is Constipation which is treatable with...
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Cat Constipation
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Normally a cat has bowel movements once or twice a day. If the pet does not do it or strain to do it with hard feces, the cat is suffering from Constipation. It is a very common problem with cats and an occasional bout of...
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Constipation Symptoms
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Constipation is a subjective feeling of insufficient evacuation of the bowel, and dry or painful passing of stool. There is a popular misconception that it is a must to have at least one bowel movement every day. Medical facts do not support this view. There...
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Colon Cancer Symptoms
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Colon Cleansing Products
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As colon health has become a major concern, colon cleansing has become a vital factor in maintaining good health. Body tissues must be free from toxins that get in the way of normal bodily functions. Processed foods do not supply the body with essential enzymes...
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Colon Cleansing Dangers
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