Constipation is commonly not an organic illness but a functional disorder in which bowel is not working perfectly. The sense of being physically fit is badly affected by a slow intestine. It is estimated that one out of four adults are affected by constipation.
There are different definitions of constipation for different people because their experience is based upon their personal bowel habits. Some people bowels once in a day, others once in three days where there are also those who bowels thrice a day. The digestion is alright in all cases.
Whatever ideas people generate about constipation, it is found only among those people who bowel less than once in three days and on bowel discharge hard stools of low volume. They are also bound to press harder to evacuate which is often painful. Such people also have a sense of incomplete evacuation.
When one’s digestion system does not function properly then he or she has a feeling of being not well as his belly is bloated, heavy and full. As a result of constipation, haemorrhoids, large vessels of blood in anus, are formed that can cause great physical problem under certain conditions.
How does constipation occur?
All those persons who notice chronic constipation must consult physician for healthy advices. Serious ailment like thyroid malfunction and intestinal disease are rare causes of constipation. Digestive problems are usually caused by a number of medicines and you must consult your doctor if you think that the treatment of your certain disease is troubling you with constipation. A number of drugs result in constipation, some of them are: antacids (with calcium and aluminium), amitriptyline, anticholinergics, bismuth, barium sulphate, calcium antagonists, clonidine, cholestyramine, colestipol, iron, diuretics, disopyramide, nonsteroidal anti-inflammation agents, phenytoin, opioids, Phenothiazines, propantheline, sucralfate, scopolamine, sympathomimetics, vincristine and tricyclic antidepressants.
Modern life is surely responsible for changing bowel habits as we no more take fiber in our daily food. Fiber is an important part of food that can be taken from vegetables, grains and fruits but we prefer pizzas, bread, meat, puddings and all that is easy to cook and delicious to eat. Our body requires at least two to three liters of water to keep the bowel movement smooth. Those who drink water less than the prescribed quantity suffer from small and hard stools.
The modern life is luxurious. Those who do not have personal cars or official transport are used to travel in buses, trains and other means of transport. The physical movement of our bodies is insufficient. Our works are confined to offices. Very few of us are used to of exercise. All this lethargy is affecting and disturbing our bowel habits.
The pressure of time is far greater than the bowel pressure. We are suffering from lack of time. We do not have time to spend in the toilet and deplorably we do not bother to wait. The modern life is all about rushing here and there.
Digestive System
Enzymes help us in digesting the food to extract nutrients. The food starts to digest even in our mouth when we chew. The enzyme of saliva splits sugar and starch (carbohydrates) into their constituents. Through oesophagus, the mixture then travels to the stomach where the protein starts to get digested. In the small intestines, fats, proteins and carbohydrates are finally reduced to their basic constituents and then blood transports it to the individual organs.
That part of food which is not utilized by the body and broken down by the small intestine moves to the large intestine. Undigested nutrients have the opportunity to absorb in the body after breaking down by the bacteria of large intestine described as Large Intestine Flora. Here water and salt is removed from the resume and stools are formed to pump out.
The food intake plays an important role in the digestive process. Less problems in intestinal activities occur if the roughage and fiber intake of one is more. Roughage belongs to vegetables and increases the volume of stool, stimulates the activity of intestine and retains water. It helps in keeping the stool flexible and soft that is helpful in evacuation.
It is necessary that one should take at least 30 grams of roughage per day that means we have to eat a good number of grain products, vegetables, fruits and legumes. Drinking at least two liters of water also helps in keeping the intestinal functions’ smooth.
Keeping in mind the hazards of poor constipation, that can leave behind stools for a longer time in our large intestine and blocking blood that can make clusters, we all should examine our eating habits. Good doctors do not suggest medicine to curb constipation. They ask for changing or improving eating habits. A balanced food decreases the risk of getting constipation and significantly improves health.
