You may need more than just fiber if you find yourself still experiencing constipation even when you’ve consumed a lot of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Bet you must have read everywhere how fiber is supposed to help in promoting bowel movements. However, the causes of constipation may not just be due to a lack of fiber. In these cases, constipation is a symptom of an underlying problem.
According to the American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons, about 80 percent of people suffer from constipation at some point in their lives, according to the American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons. Although it is common to suffer from brief bouts of constipation, you ought to consult your health care provider if your symptoms are chronic.
Chronic constipation happens when you have at least two symptoms of constipation for at least three months over a period of six months. Symptoms include hard faeces, excessive straining, a feeling of incomplete evacuation, and a stool frequency of less than three bowel movements a week.
You become constipated when your colon absorbs too much water or if muscle contractions in the colon become too slow or sluggish. A low fiber diet and a lifestyle with little or no exercise are common causes of constipation.
However, constipation can also be caused by excessive intake of medications such as painkillers and antidepressants. Diseases form another possible explanation. Certain neurological disorders, for example Parkinson’s disease; diabetes and lupus can also slow down the movement of stool through the colon, rectum or anus.
Then, there is a minority of people who have colonic nerve or muscle dysfunction. This group of sufferers find it hard to coordinate the pelvic floor muscles and anorectal muscles to remove stools. Consequently, they cannot pass or only manage to pass small amounts. Biofeedback therapy whereby patients are taught how to improve their bowel functions is now being studied as the treatment that can be help for these cases.
Then, of course there are problems with irritable bowel syndrome or slow bowel transit time that causes constipation. These problems need proper diagnosis such that appropriate treatments can be prescribed.
In conclusion, the causes of constipation can be varied. In mild cases, laxatives and over-the-counter remedies can be effective and helpful. Detox cleansing is useful, as well as a change in diet to include more fiber and a lifestyle with regular exercises. For these severe cases, a health care provider needs to be consulted.
Details