|
Constipation
Constipation
- Difficult or infrequent passage of feces, hardness
of stool, or a feeling of incomplete evacuation.
DID YOU POOP TODAY?
Article
Description: If you’re
like many Americans,
constipation is something you’ve experienced. Over
4 million people each year report being constipated. Cases of colon
cancer are rising steadily. To understand why you may be suffering, you
first need to know exactly what
constipation means.
Date of Publication:11/14/2003
constipation
DID YOU
POOP TODAY?
By: Dr.
Edward F. Group III, DC, Ph.D, ND, DACBN
If you’re like many Americans,
constipation is something you’ve
experienced. Over 4 million people each year report being constipated.
Cases of colon cancer are rising steadily. To understand why you may be
suffering, you first need to know exactly what
constipation means. When
John Wayne died they found 60 pounds of compacted hard fecal matter
stuck to the lining of his intestines.
constipation
My definition of being constipated means that you have difficulty
passing stools and do not have daily bowel movements.
If your stools are soft and pass easily and you pass them at least 2
times per day, I would say you’re not constipated.
In order to be diagnosed with
constipation, you must have at least two
of the following symptoms for at least 12 months:
-
Hard or
pellet-like stools at least 25% of the time
-
Straining with
bowel movements at least 25% of the time
-
A feeling that
you don’t completely empty your bowels at least 25% of the time
-
Fewer than 5
bowel movements per week
What
causes constipation?
The most common cause of
constipation is a lack of adequate amounts of
water, exercise, stress and fiber in the diet. The longer the stool sits
in the large intestine waiting to be passed, the harder and less easy to
pass it becomes.
constipation
There are many other reasons that you may find yourself constipated.
Common causes of constipation include:
-
A change in
schedule, such as traveling or anything that changes your daily
routine
-
Repressing the
urge to have a bowel movement
-
An increase in
your stress levels
-
A lack of
exercise and poor dietary habits
-
Loss of activity
as a result of injury or aging
-
Pregnancy
-
Medication use
Constipation may also be a result of another health problem, such as
irritable bowel syndrome,
diabetes or other illnesses.
constipation
Irconstipationritable
bowel syndrome (IBS)
Older people (over the age of 65) still experience
constipation more
often than other adults. This is often due to an increase in medications
and loss of mobility. Recently, over the last 10 years, children as well
as adults are becoming constipated. Most doctors attribute this to a
sedentary lifestyle, obesity, and poor nutrition. Studies now show that
50% of the children in America are obese and uneducated about proper
diet and healthy living.
A more uncommon type of
constipation results from an actual obstruction
in the large intestine. This can be caused by an obstruction such as a
tumor or gallstone that is wedged in the intestine. High stress levels
can also cause the muscles in the bowel to constrict or contract at
different times. Normally the muscles in the upper part of the
intestinal tract contract, as the lower muscles in the bowel relax. When
the lower muscles in the bowel contract or go into a spasm instead of
relaxing, problems start to occur.
The bowel may also be obstructed if the large intestine has twisted on
itself. Sometimes after any type of abdominal surgery scar tissue will
grow internally and pinch off or restrict a section of your bowel.
Another possible cause of bowel obstruction is from connective tissue
diseases such as lupus or
scleroderma.
If you’re experiencing symptoms from
constipation for more than two
weeks, it’s a good idea to seek the advice of your doctor. Together you
can pinpoint the causes of your
constipation and choose the best
treatment options.
constipation
Make sure you pay attention to your bowel habits and keep your colon and
intestinal tract clean. Do not consume products containing aspartame,
mineral oil, milk of magnesia or high fat content.
Increasing your water intake, exercise, a high fiber diet and using a
safe and natural oxygen based intestinal cleanser such as “Oxy-Powder”
can keep your bowels regular.
A clean colon
can prevent and reduce:
Bad breath,
body odor,
constipation, depression,
diverticulitis, colon
cancer, fatigue,
gas, stomach pain, bloating, weight gain,
headaches, hemorrhoids, indigestion,
appendicitis,
insomnia and
varicose veins.
Depression
fatigue
Headache
A prolific
author, Dr. Edward Group has written seven books and dozens of
articles on subjects such as cancer, heart disease,
diabetes, ultimate
health, constipation, pain relief and more... In addition he is editor
of the worldwide Internet monthly newsletter Alternative Health and
Healing.
Related Sites:
Colon
Cleansing
Clolon
Cleansing Test
Oxypowder
Constipation
|
