Archive for the ‘General Tips’ Category

Aging and Constipation

Posted by admin On January - 15 - 20103 COMMENTS

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.

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.

Constipation Defined and Described

Posted by admin On December - 10 - 20091 COMMENT

Except perhaps in jest, people don’t talk about constipation and hemroids for the fun of it. Discussions of constipation are most likely of greatest interest to people who are suffering from this sometimes painful and always frustrating medical problem.

Although discussions of constipation may not be that plentiful almost everyone has experience with the problem at some time in their life. Chronic constipation is estimated to affect around 2% of the population of the United States. Constipation although annoying it’s not often considered to be a particularly serious medical problem.

Constipation defined
Constipation is defined as something that isn’t happening or that is happening less frequently or with greater difficulty than what is considered to be normal. That something is a bowel movement. Frequency of bowel movements varies widely among the population. Some people move their bowels as many as three times a day. Other people move their bowels only about two or three times a week. If you go without a bowel movement for more than three days most people who are familiar with constipation will conclude that you are constipated. The stool becomes harder and more difficult to pass if it remains in the intestine or rectum for longer than three days.

If the pattern of your bowel movements partakes of the following symptoms for a period of around three months you’ll are considered to be constipated in a medical sense.

• Straining during a bowel movement more than 25% of the time
• You have two or fewer bowel movements in a week’s time
• The stools you produce are hard more than 25% of the time.
• You experience incomplete evacuation more than 25% of the time

Constipation causes
Most often constipation relates to the way the bowels function rather than the way they are structured. The most common causes of constipation include the following:

• Excessive consumption of dairy products
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Failure to drink enough water
• Failure to include enough fiber and one’s diet
• Stress or depression
• Excessive use of laxatives or stool softeners
• Disruptions of regular routine — often related to traveling
• Hemorrhoids or other conditions that cause avoidance of bowel movements
• The use of antacid medications
• Eating disorders
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Colorectal cancer
• Pregnancy
• Eating disorders such as bulimia
• Diseases of the nervous system such as ALS, Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis
• The use of narcotics antidepressants and pain relievers

Conditions that interfere with the function of nerves and muscles in the bowel may also contribute to, or cause, constipation. Over time excessive use of laxatives or stool softener’s may actually weaken muscles used in bowel movements.

Preventing constipation
Constipation is one medical condition that responds well to self-care strategies and lifestyle changes. These include the following:

• A diet that includes plenty of fiber, fruits and vegetables, the games, as well as whole-grain baked goods and cereals can prove helpful
• Drinking as much as 2 quarts of water a day or including an equivalent amount of other fluids and drinks is also helpful. Avoiding caffeinated drinks and alcohol is advisable because they tend to ultimately lead to dehydration. You may need to cut back on dairy products as well
• Regular exercise can improve health including the health issues that relate to bowel movements
• Try to overcome any hesitancy to move your bowels when you feel as if you should

Quick Constipation Treatments
• Besides drinking a lot of water try drinking warm water, especially in the morning
• Prunes and bran do actually live up to their reputation as natural laxatives
• Add more fruits and vegetables to your diet
• Occasional use of mild stool softener is in laxatives is acceptable

When Should You Call the Doctor?
• If you detect blood in your stool
• If you are constipated for longer than two weeks
• If you experience considerable pain when you move your bowels
• If you’ve never been constipated before and are constipated now
• If you’re losing weight without dieting

How To Find Effective Hemorrhoid Relief

Posted by admin On November - 26 - 20091 COMMENT

Hemorrhoids can cause a lot of pain. That is why most people end up trying to find a treatment for it. The itching can cause anyone to be pushed to the boiling point so we all search for anything that can offer some hemorrhoid relief.

The good thing is that there are ways to stop the itching and pain temporarily. There are hemorrhoid creams you can buy without a need for a doctors prescription.

Using hemorrhoid creams is a great way to get some quick hemorrhoid relief. But in order to treat your hemorrhoids you might have to make some sort of lifestyle change.

For example eating the wrong foods can cause hemorrhoids. Really anything that makes it tougher in the restroom when taking a number 2 should be avoided. The harder your stool the worse off you are when it comes to hemorrhoids.

What you want is a smooth stool that does not involve any straining. I know you are probably saying that’s harder said then that and I will 100 percent agree with you on that.

Matter of fact anything is easier said then done because nobody said it was going to be easy in the first place. Anyways that’s about it have fun treating your hemorrhoids!

Intestinal Worms Cause Various Health Complications

Posted by admin On November - 24 - 2009ADD COMMENTS

Our body plays host to many other living organisms. This is well known fact. But, how does our body cope with these living organisms? How beneficial or harmful are they to our health? Not just one or two, there are more than a hundred types of living organisms that call our body as their home. In addition they reproduce by constantly dropping eggs in our body. The human digestive tract provides all the favorable conditions required for these organisms to survive. Intestinal worms and other parasites are a threat to us and should be removed before they become the cause on any serious health problem.

First of all we need to know the symptoms that point towards the existence of these organisms in our body. There are many symptoms that indicate the presence of intestinal worms. If you have a bad case of constipation you are surely infected. Asthma, diarrhea, indigestion, rashes are all symptoms that confirm the presence of these organisms in your body. They lower the immunity of the body which makes you vulnerable to contract different diseases and all sorts of health problems. These are some of the symptoms that you should look out for in order to get treated from the attack of these organisms.

Parasites are bad news for us. They are present anywhere and everywhere we go. They spread through water, air and touch as well. The important thing is that we need to get rid of parasites and intestinal worms as they cause a lot many problems. IF they are present in side the body, we do not get the complete nutrition our body requires as they intercept these nutrients and absorb it themselves. This leaves us under nourished since they take away the essential nutrients. Not only this, some worms have the capability of chewing off our internal organs further damaging our body. Parasites on the other hand are dangerous too as they may cause metal and chemical poison.

Parasites also lead to various bacterial and fungal infections. They act as a source of toxins that is spread in our body which may cause plaque. As a result, the colon wall is blocked. This is one of the causes of irregular bowel movements. Obese people who find it difficult to shed weight in spite of exercising regularly also have these parasites to blame. Take all the measures to eradicate these germs with the help of herbs and medicine and avoid health complications.