The contents
What if you had constipation?
The functioning of the digestive system
Types of constipation
Diagnosis of constipation
The unpleasant consequences of constipation
Constipation is characterized by International statistical classification of diseases and problems related to health, as an act of slow, poor or lack of systematic defecation (emptying of the intestinal contents). The frequency of stool from a healthy person can vary from three to five times a week. Magicforum figured out what to do if you are concerned about constipation?
What if you had constipation?
Constipation occurs when the space between the chairs more than three days or when they are high, hard texture, defecation is carried out with stress or even pain.
There are people who only occasionally faced with episodes of constipation, but there are many people for whom the symptoms of constipation familiar to you. The contingent is forced to live with this rather annoying issue.
Despite the fact that from a physiological point of view the whole situation very unpleasant constipation does not have to be the result of a certain kind of disorder. However, this can be a symptom of an undetected disease such as colon cancer. Therefore, it is recommended to consult a specialist if the treatment exceeds more than three weeks.
It is much betterto prevent constipationthan to carry out their treatment. In this respect, the best thing we can recommend is prevention. As a rule, preventive measures relate to well-structured balanced diet, maintaining a healthy lifestyle in which enough space is given to sports.
The functioning of the digestive system
For a better understanding of the causes of constipation is necessary to understand how the digestive system and colon.
In the small intestine, the products go in a semiliquid state. Passing through the colon, the body is partially or completely absorbs water. At the same time the colon starts to contract and pushes waste into the rectum where the stool reaches the solid phase.
Types of constipation
Constipation can be of several types:
Constipation caused by food – unhealthy eating habits can aggravate the process of defecation of the body. Notable among them are the low consumption of fiber (source – vegetables, cereals, fruits, flour) and liquid, excessive diuretics or supplements is filled with products that contribute more to hardening of the stool. An excess of meat, pizza, rice, fried foods, junk in the diet. Extreme caution is necessary to treat the consumption of coffee, spices, alcohol, etc. especially those who are likely to experience this issue.
Anionic constipation – caused by the slowing down of muscle activity of the intestine and aggravate the digestion. This may be due to several causes, ranging from neurological diseases to contain a low level of potassium in the body. This type of constipation can be triggered by the reception of certain categories of medicines, a poisoning of the body with lead. In addition symptoms of obstructed defecation is observed in the case of a sedentary lifestyle, such as sedentary patients with some metabolic or endocrine diseases;
Psychosomatic constipation– there is a nervous background and can be functional (for example, when trying to adapt to a new environment) or constipation as a symptom of irritable bowel syndrome (dysfunction of the digestion for at least three months);
Obstructive constipation– a blockage of the colon from outside the body or after of rectal prolapse (displacement of the rectal mucosa or the entire wall of the rectum through the anus). Obstructive constipation may also occur after the disease, such as neurological;
Stenosis of the colon – for various reasons, the stenosis can be caused by tumors, but they can also occur after surgical interventions;
Severe constipation – also referred to as chronic constipation, may occur because of diseases such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, depression, or the introduction of drugs such drugs, antihypertensive or anti-Parkinsonian drugs.
Diagnosis of constipation
Most people suffering from constipation, do not need special medical tests for diagnosis. It is important to identify the reasons that led to this: poor nutrition, medications or other related conditions.
In most cases the tests are recommended by doctors if the patient does not produce tangible results, or there is reason to suspect that the constipation is a symptom of colon cancer (especially if it is accompanied by weight loss or presence of blood in stool).
These tests may include:
The colorectal transit study – a test designed for patients with chronic constipation. After this test the doctors determine the time required for the passage of food through the digestive tract. The patient swallows a radio-opaque substance that will allow you to track the transit on the monitor within 3 to 7 days. A person who is under medical examination and must follow a very high fiber content of the diet attributable to the period;
Irrigation – allows you to visualize the problem. Doctors can see if there is any intestinal obstruction or changes in the mucosa;
Sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. The first medical procedure for examination of the rectum and lower part of the colon, while a colonoscopy involves examination of the entire colon. The doctor uses a long flexible tube equipped with a light and a camera.
The unpleasant consequences of constipation
Unfortunately, constipation can lead to complications such as hemorrhoids, anal fissures and bleeding. Of these, recto-anal fissures are the most painful. In addition, they can lead to worsening of constipation.
Constipation can also cause other problems: abdominal hernia, fecal incontinence (inability to control the transit of the bowel) or fecaloma (accumulation of retention of the rectum occurs mainly in the elderly or in bed).
No less unpleasant consequence is the abuse of laxatives, especially for persons dependent on this problem. Excessive use of laxatives is one of the most common mistakes among patients with constipation.
People who often resort to laxative drugs, can become victims of so-called “lazy colon syndrome”. The syndrome is characterized by the fact that the intestines can no longer function normally on their own, and forced to obtain additional stimulation through the action of laxatives. Frequency exceptions feces of the intestine due to excessive laxative injections can lead to the violation of the electrolyte balance. Additionally, the body also loses its ability to absorb vital nutrients (proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals).
Previously, scientists have proved that chronic constipation can cause kidney failure.