Constipation Treatments

Constipation treatment has to be done according to the cause, severity and the duration of constipation. However, most of the constipation causes can be treated with lifestyle changes and switching to high fiber diet.

High-fiber foods include whole grains and bran cereals, fruits and vegetables like spinach, asparagus, brussels sprouts, and carrots. People who are prone to constipation, must restrict their intake of low fiber or fiber less foods such as ice cream, cheese, meat, and processed foods. Instead of fruit juice, they must have whole fruits as juices discard all fibers in the fruit. Drinking lots of water and regular exercising also help treat constipation.

Other measures for constipation treatment include taking laxatives, stool softeners, prokinetics and enemas.

Laxatives, sometimes called purgatives or aperients, are foods, compounds, or certain drugs that induce bowel movements or loosen the stool. There are various types of laxatives. However, bulk-forming laxatives, also referred to as bulking agents or roughage are safest and should be taken with plenty of water. They have dietary fiber that cause the stool to be bulkier and retain more water. They also form an emollient gel which makes it easier for stool to move down. Examples of such natural laxative include psyllium husk, dietary fiber, apples, etc.

Stool softeners are useful in preventing dehydration and they make the stool soft so as to enable the constipated patient to easily pass a bowel movement. These laxatives are mostly used for patients with occasional constipation or those with anorectal conditions for whom passage of a firm stool is painful. Stool softeners are also prescribed after childbirth or surgery as these people should avoid straining while passing bowel movement. Water; fruits like apples, bananas, blueberries, oranges, and strawberries; vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, carrots, green beans, spinach, and tomatoes; oatmeal; brown rice; nuts; seeds and legumes are all examples of natural stool softeners.

Lubricants are used to make the stool slippery, so that it slides through the intestine more easily. Lubricant laxatives contain mineral oil in form of plain mineral oil or as an emulsion (combination with water) of the oil. Lubricants typically stimulate a bowel movement within 8 hours.

Enemas or the injection of a liquid through the anus to stimulate evacuation is sometimes used for treating constipation mostly when the stool hardens in the rectum. There are various types of enemas but all of them (even the one that is conducted with the help of simple tap water) stimulate the colon to contract and eliminate stool. Saline enemas cause water to be drawn into the colon. Phosphate enemas stimulate the muscles of the colon. Mineral oil enemas lubricate and soften hard stool. Emollient enemas also contain agents that soften the stool. Defecation generally occurs between a few minutes and one hour after the enema is inserted. Frequent use of enemas is not recommended as they may cause disturbances of the fluids and electrolytes in the body.

Know about the Ayurvedic Basti Treatment similar in method but different in effect from enema.

When to Seek Medical Help for Chronic Constipation?

Mild or temporary constipation is a regular feature of everyone's life but there are situations when constipation can be serious. Acute as well as chronic constipation can lead to many complications including hemorrhoids ( because of straining to have a bowel movement) and anal fissures ( where the skin around the anus tears apart due to hard stool that stretches the sphincter muscle). These may further lead to rectal bleeding identified as bright red streaks on the surface of the stool. If such types of complications related to constipation are observed, one must instantly refer to a doctor. Treatment for hemorrhoids can be given through warm tub baths, ice packs, and by applying special cream to the affected area. Treatment for anal fissures may include stretching the sphincter muscle or surgically removing the tissue or skin in the affected area.

Many a times, straining results into a small amount of intestinal lining to push out from the anal opening which is called rectal prolapse. It may lead to secretion of mucus from the anus. Generally the cause of the prolapse is treated by eliminating its causes like straining or coughing. However, severe or chronic prolapse needs surgery in order to strengthen and tighten the anal sphincter muscle or to repair the prolapsed lining. Sometimes, hardened stool may lead to a condition called fecal impaction where hard stool packs the intestine and rectum so tightly that the normal pushing action of the colon is not enough to push out the stool. This type of chronic constipation is treated with mineral oil taken by mouth and by an enema. After softening the impaction, the physician may break up and remove part of the hardened stool by inserting one or two fingers into the anus.

Sometimes straining to push the stool out might be due to pelvic floor dysfunction. This can only be treated through biofeedback training and not laxatives. Most of the muscles of the pelvis around the anus and rectum are under some voluntary control. A biofeedback training teaches patients with pelvic floor dysfunction about how to make their muscles work more normally and improve their ability to defecate.

All these constipation conditions require medical interference. If a constipated person has taken all the simple measures to treat constipation but does not get any positive result, it is the time to seek medical help for constipation treatment. If the general physician can not evaluate the symptoms and degree of severity of constipation, s/he must refer such chronic constipation cases to a gastroenterologist who specializes in the subject.

New Developments in Constipation Treatment

Researchers are studying to understand how the network of nerves and muscles in the intestine communicate and function in coordination with each other. The scientists hope to develop drugs that either stimulate or inhibit the various nerves of the colon. Such medicines can, in future, treat constipation caused due to colon inertia (long delays in the passage of stool accompanied by lack of urgency to move the bowels). However, there are still many doubts about the effectiveness of such constipation medicines. The age old science of health, Ayurveda, on the other hand tells about some really effective constipation treatments using herbs and home remedies for constipation.

Ayurvedic Herbs for Constipation Treatment

According to Ayurveda, the aggravation of vata causes constipation. Improper eating habits including having a lot of food, eating food which is difficult to digest (such as meat) and not eating enough vegetables and fruits, lead to constipation. Apart from these, irregular sleeping habits or emotional disturbances (stress, grief, fear or worry) also are the constipation causes for the obstruction of the passage of stool, accumulation of toxins in the colon or excessive stimulation of the nervous system. Apart from leading a well balanced lifestyle, Ayurveda suggests some Indian Herbs that can cure constipation.

Triphala- It is a mixture of three herbs- Terminalia Chebula (Harada or Haritaki), Emblica Officinalis (Amla or Amalaki) and Terminalia Belerica (Behada or bibhitaki). Triphala is considered the herbal colon cleanser. It promotes good colon health and acts as a laxative without causing cramps or irritation. Triphala cleanses and tones the gastrointestinal tract, detoxifies the body and improves digestion. It is very effective in Irritable Bowel Syndrome and ulcerative colitis.

Haritaki- The botanical name of Haritaki or Harad is Terminalia Chebula. It is a herbal mild laxative. Although used mostly as a component of Triphala for treating constipation, Haritaki can be taken alone to treat mild constipation by cleansing the bowels.

Psyllium Husk-Popular by its Indian name Isabgol, Psyllium husk is the most effective natural bulk laxative. Of late, Psyllium husk has become one of the world's most-used herbs due to the increased problem of constipation world over. Ayurveda describes psyllium husk as having emollient, gentle laxative, cooling and diuretic effect.

Home Remedies for Constipation

There are many simple home remedies for constipation treatment.

• • Drink a glass of warm milk before going to bed for an easy evacuation in the morning. In case of severe constipation, add two teaspoons of Castor oil in the milk.
• • Drink one liter of warm water and walk around for a few minutes immediately after waking up early in the morning.
• • Drink lemon juice mixed with warm water two to three times a day to ease constipation problem.
• Take one or two teaspoons of aloe gel twice a day.
• Take a teaspoon of Triphala Churna (the best Ayurvedic medicine for constipation) with warm water or milk before going to bed.
• • Alternatively, take one teaspoon of psyllium husk in normal or lukewarm water before going to bed.
• • Cleanse your body of toxins by taking warm bath after adding three tablespoons of ginger root to it.
• • Get a stomach massage done by an expert for treating constipation.

Constipation Dos and Don'ts

Here is a list of foods and other activities, some of which should be followed and others avoided.

• • During constipation, take such diet that is easily digestible.
• • Have plenty of fruits, vegetables and salads.
• • Always have freshly cooked food and chew the food thoroughly.
• • Eat only when hungry and maintain at least 4 hours gap between meals.
• • Use spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric powder, fennel and asafetida as they make the food easy to digest.
• • Have whole grain bread and cereals.
• • Do regular physical exercise which is important for maintaining proper bowel movements.
• Regulate your sleeping hours and take measures to get sound sleep.
• • Do not take too much of fried foods, beans, gas forming vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli. Do not mix too many kinds of foods in one meal.