Constipation Treatment, Causes, Types, Symptoms, Medication And Facts

The symptoms of constipation are fairly simple to describe. In a real sense, constipation involves one overriding symptom: the inability of the bowels to function normally. Constipation might just as well be called bowel dysfunction.
Bowel movement frequency can vary from person to person. If more than three days pass without a bowel movement, constipation is considered to be occurring. Difficulty and pain in passing a stool is often described as constipation as well. Excessive straining or feelings of incomplete emptying are also considered to be correctly described as constipation.

Constipation can more correctly be described as a symptom of many different diseases instead of as a disease in and of itself. Aside from the inability to have a bold movement the following symbol symptoms may accompany that inability: abdominal bloating cramping are paying; decrease in appetite or overall feelings of lethargy and fatigue. The following symptoms may accompany more serious cases of constipation.
• A swollen abdomen or abdominal pain
• Pain in other areas close to the bowel
• Vomiting
• Extreme nausea

Symptoms and Symptoms
It may be more useful to discuss what constipation is a symptom of as opposed to what the symptoms of constipation are. The following list can get us started in that direction.

Constipation can indicate that the following serious medical and psychological conditions need to be investigated as its causes:

• Stress
• Hemorrhoids
• Hypothyroidism
• Neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis
• Depression
• Eating disorders
• Irritable colon
• Pregnancy
• Colon cancer
Each of the items that make up the list above may need to be diagnosed and treated separately from the constipation that they are associated with. It is true that a relatively small number of patients with constipation actually have serious medical problems that need to be addressed in addition to the problem of constipation.

Diagnostic techniques associated with constipation can include the following:
Is a hormonal imbalance is suspected blood tests may need to be performed
But barium-based studies may be required if obstructions of the colon is suspected
A colonoscopy can also be used to look for obstructions in the colon

Controlling the symptoms associated with concentration can be relatively easy and performed by persons suffering from the condition itself. These include:
Drinking plenty of fluids, especially warm water early in the day
Consuming fruits and vegetables on a regular basis
Adding fiber in the form of bran or prunes to the diet
Mild stool softener as are appropriate if not used excessively
Laxatives may be of benefit if used in a judicious manner

Contraindications
If constipation is chronic and fails to respond to treatment in a timely manner the following medications may need to be curtailed or substituted for:
• Narcotics used to treat pain and other medications used for pain
• Antacids that contain aluminum
• Anti-depressant drugs
• Iron supplements
• Anti-spasmodic drugs
• Antihypertensive calcium channel blockers

If you are suffering from constipation, you should make an appointment to see your doctor before halting the use of any of the medications mentioned in the list above.

Does this sound at all familiar?

Your bowel movements have decreased in frequency.
Your stools seem hard and small.
You strain excessively to move your bowels.
You feel that evacuation may not have been completed.
You would very much like go but feel that you can’t.

This should sound very familiar if you’re constipated.
How about the following statement?

Constipation is inevitable as we get older. That may sound familiar too, but it isn’t necessarily true– at least not completely.

It is probably true that the more we age the more likely we are to become constipated. However aging alone doesn’t account for this fact in its entirety. Many people who are advanced in years have never experienced constipation of any kind.

The best approach is taking a look at a few things we can do to prevent constipation from occurring as we get older.
People tend to become more sedentary as they get older and the more sedentary you become the more likely you are to become constipated. You may not be able to maintain the level of activity that you had no trouble maintaining when you were 25 years old, but a conscious effort to get up and do things can serve to prevent constipation — at least in part.

After people reach the age of 50 they tend to take considerably more medications for other health conditions both major and minor. Medications taken to treat arthritis, back pain, allergies, high blood pressure and depression can all increase the risk of developing constipation as well. It doesn’t make sense to stop taking medication that you need, but it might well make sense to take another look at the side effects of your medications in consultation with your doctor.

Certain studies also indicate that older adults actually tend to decrease the amount of fiber in their diet. Further study may be required because this does seem to contradict the common image of older adults heading for the fiber on a frequent basis. Regardless, whatever age you may be, it’s a good idea to make sure that your diet includes a sufficient amount of fiber if you want to cut down on your risk of developing constipation.

Older individuals have also been shown to have a higher risk of developing dehydration than younger adults. There also seems to be some evidence that the thirst sensation decreases as people age. It’s a good idea as you age to remind yourself to drink enough water to stay healthy. Dehydration is commonly regarded as a significant risk factor in cases of chronic constipation.

Older individuals also need to take heed of the fact that constipation may be a warning sign of other serious medical conditions. A visit to the doctor is in order if any of the following is occurring:

• bloody diarrhea
• diarrhea that lasts for more than a week
• constipation that continues longer than two weeks
• stools that are tarry in color
• severe diarrhea that lasts longer than two days

These symptoms may indicate infection or intestinal obstruction in the bowels or inflammatory bowl disease. Colon cancer is another possibility. Tests for colon cancer should be scheduled on a regular basis after you reach the age of 50—normally every three years or so.

Millions of Americans fight a battle daily against chronic constipation. If you are one of them you may be seriously thinking of using a laxative as your constipation relief. The enemy is characterized by the following symptoms:

• Hardened stools
• Three or fewer bowel movements in a week
• Straining during bowel movements
• Experiencing incomplete evacuation (real or imagined)

The laxatives designed to treat the symptoms are made up of chemicals that increase stool, motility, frequency and bulk. In the case of laxatives however, misuse and overuse can only serve to worsen the symptoms that laxatives are designed to remedy.

Alternatives to laxatives do exist, however. A diet that includes plenty of fiber, fruits and vegetables, and as well whole-grains and cereals can improve your symptoms. Drinking as much as 2 quarts of water a day or including an equivalent amount of the right sorts of drinks also helps. Regular exercise can improve health issues that relate to constipation.

Attempting to overcome any hesitancy to move your bowels when you feel as if you should is sound advice. One has to wonder why around 80% of doctor visits for constipation conclude with the patient leaving with a newly written prescription for laxatives. At the very least an understanding of how these medications effect their changes will provide the right perspective on using them safely.

What types of laxatives are there?
There are at least five different forms of laxatives in common use. These include capsules, liquids, suppositories, pills and enemas. Later in the article we will categorize laxatives according to how they work. It’s important to remember that, like medications in general, laxatives can benefit one and cause unpleasant side effects as well. Sometimes the relative simplicity of an enema or suppository can work faster and more safely than a medicine based on a complex chemical reaction. What follows is a quick rundown of the kind of medications classified as laxatives:

Lubricants
A lubricant laxative is designed to make your stools more slippery. It adds mineral oil as a slippery layer to the walls of the intestine. Doctors consider lubricant laxatives as a suitable remedy on a short-term basis for constipation. Long-term use can cause the intestine to absorb fat soluble vitamins and decrease the effectiveness of certain prescription drugs.

Stimulant
Stimulant laxatives work very fast and very efficiently. They stimulate the lining of the intestine and this in turn accelerates the speed of a stool’s journey through the gastrointestinal system. This type of laxative also hydrates the stool. Ex-Lax, Senokot and Correctol are examples. Regular use of this type of laxative can weaken the muscles used for defecation and make one dependent on laxatives to remedy constipation. Cramping and diarrhea are also common side effects. Prunes are also sometimes classified as chronic stimulant laxatives.

Osmotic and Hyperosmolar Laxatives
Osmostic laxatives also increased the moisture level in the stool by drawing fluids into the intestine from surrounding tissue. Hydrated stools are softer and easier to pass. If you use this sort of laxatives it’s very important to drink as much water as possible. If you don’t there is a real possibility you’ll experience gas and cramping.

Stool softeners
Stool softeners (also. known as emollient laxatives ) use a chemical called ducastate to hydrate and soften the stool. The effect of this sort of laxative may take a week or a little bit longer to work. People with hemorrhoids or those who are recovering from surgery or childbirth frequently use this type of laxative.

Fiber
Certain commercial laxative products contain dietary fiber in an easily consumable form.

Whatever laxative you may decide to use, be careful not to overuse it and try to stay in touch with your doctor regarding your use of laxatives.

Are you experiencing delay in your bowel movement? Say almost every three days before you stool? Well, it is of no doubt you are constipated. Constipation can happen to anyone at any given time. It depends mostly on ones’ way of life.
Constipation occurs mainly in not having sufficient fiber in their diet. Secondarily, to those who lack physical activity, those drinking milk without drinking eight glasses of water every day, problems with the colons and rectum, and other activities that have something to do with the digestive system.

Constipation, on the other hand causes acne. Study shows that insulin resistance and cholesterol are two of the reasons in the development of that skin condition or spot. That is why it is advisable to have a high fiber diet in order to lower if not normalize high blood pressure and insulin levels. With high fiber intake, it lowers cholesterol. The skin will not have extra cholesterol to use to make androgen which triggers spot lesion. Insulin resistance triggers spot as well. To avoid acne, avoid constipation first. If you cannot have a high fiber diet, have an enough fiber diet instead. You can have 20-35 grams of fiber a day. You can actually seek the help of a dietician if necessary. To enumerate, fiber foods include wheat bread, fruits, cereals, and vegetables. Accompanied by this diet are the less intake of those low in fiber foods like canned goods, junk foods, etc.

Another solution in getting rid of constipation is a change in lifestyle which really works too. If you are used to drinking beverages every day instead of drinking water, you still have the time to make amends. Drink enough water so as not to become dehydrated especially when you are constipated. If you are used to not exercising, change it now. Try to do some exercise at least 15 minutes every day. You can do brisk walking or just running around your neighborhood. This change in lifestyle is not only to avoid constipation but also as your key in having a healthy life.

Better treat constipation because this might not only cause said skin condition or spot but it may lead to complications that include hemorrhoids which if chronic will need to undergo surgery. So each one of us should always put in mind that constipation chooses no one, it can be acquired by anyone. Again, bear in mind to have good and proper high fiber diet, exercise regularly and lots of liquid intake.

Is the title answered? Indeed. There is really a connection between constipation and acne — that if you are constipated more likely you are to acquire acne.