By: Dr. Lata Verma, Sub Editor-ICN
Constipation most commonly occurs when waste or stool moves too slowly through the digestive tract or cannot be eliminated effectively from the rectum, which may cause the stool to become hard and dry.
Most common causes of constipation includes low-fiber diet, particularly diets high in meat, milk, or cheese, dehydration, lack of exercise, delaying the impulse to have a bowel movement, travel or other changes in routine, certain medications, such as high calcium antacids and pain medications,pregnancy
Management
Increase your fiber intake. Adding fiber to your diet increases the weight of your stool and speeds its passage through your intestines.A sudden increase in the amount of fiber you eat can cause bloating and gas, so start slowly and work your way up to your goal over a few weeks.
Exercise most days of the week. Physical activity increases muscle activity in your intestines.
Don’t ignore the urge to have a bowel movement. Take your time in the bathroom, allowing yourself enough time to have a bowel movement without distractions and without feeling rushed.
Hydration, drink plenty of fluids, especially water and fruit juices. Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water daily in addition to beverages with meals.
Decrease alcohol intake and caffeinated beverages, including coffee, tea, or cola drinks. In general, it is a good idea to have an extra glass of water (over and above the 6 to 8 daily mentioned previously) for every cup of coffee, tea, or alcoholic drink.
Homoepathic medicines for constipation
Homeopathic medicines for constipation are extremely effective in treating constipation in persons of all age groups. Acute as well as chronic cases of constipation are known to respond wonderfully well to Homeopathic treatment. Homeopathy for constipation help improves bowel motility. Name of some medicine-causticum, silicea, sepia, causticum,
Bryonia: great difficulty passing large, hard, dry stools; feces dark as if burned; person is irritable and ill-tempered.
Calcarea Carbonica:People who need this remedy often feel more stable when constipated, and experience discomfort and fatigue when the bowels have moved. Large stools are hard at first, then sticky, then liquid.
Graphites: no urge to defecate; may go for days without bowel movement; feces shaped like round balls stuck together with mucus, painful to pass; rectal fissures or cracks, hemorrhoids that burn and itch; anus aches after passing stool and becomes sore from wiping; person gloomy.
Natrum Muriaticum: hard, crumbly stool that causes rectal bleeding, smarting and soreness; constriction of the anus, bleeding, and pain.
Nux Vomica: to help break a “laxative habit” where the person is unable to move their bowels without taking a laxative;
Lycopodium: person has frequent indigestion with gas and bloating, and many problems involving the bowels. Rubbing the abdomen or drinking something warm may help to relieve the symptoms. A craving for sweets and an energy slump in late afternoon and early evening.
