Every person has a bowel movement frequency varies. Some people defecate three times a day, others maybe only three times a week. It is normal as long as you feel comfortable and not feel difficulty when defecating. When the water is less wasteful than three times a week, stomach feels bloated and difficult to remove dirt, you have a condition called constipation (constipation). Defecation frequency was not always the benchmark. You may experience constipation despite a bowel movement every day but your shit hard and you have taken the trouble to remove it.
Symptoms may include abdominal pain, constipation and bloating. Part of a large dirt mucous membranes may tear the anus, especially in children, causing bleeding in the rectum.
Constipation is a common complaint, an estimated 1 in 10 people often experience constipation. The frequency increases with age and is becoming more common in the age group above 60 years. This is because the elderly experience a reduction in intestinal muscle strength and tend to take the drugs side effects constipation. Due to hormonal factors, constipation is also more common in adult women than adult men. Constipation is a fairly common complaint in pregnant women. Constipation is rare in infants. Babies who are breastfeeding can be no bowel movement for 7 days without causing interference.
Cause
- Constipation is not a disease but the symptom / condition has many causes, among other things:
- Unhealthy lifestyles. The most common cause, which is usually a combination of a lack of fluid intake, lack of fiber in the diet, lack of movement that stimulates the process of defecation.
- Irritable bowel syndrome (irritable bowel syndrome). People with this syndrome alternating constipation and diarrhea.
- Drugs. Constipation can be a side effect of diarrhea. Other drugs that can cause constipation are antidepressants, anticholinergics, antacids, psychotropic drugs codeine and high blood pressure.
- Imbalance of electrolytes: potassium deficiency (hypokalemia) and excess calcium (hypercalcemia).
- The blockage by disease: diverticulitis, colon polyps, fissures and abscesses anus, hemorrhoid / hemorrhoids, Crohn's disease, colorectal cancer.
- Blockage by neurological disorders, such as diabetes, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis.
- Hormonal disorders: such as an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), pregnancy.
Handling
- Treatment depends on the cause of constipation. When the cause is lifestyle, the best treatment is to change your lifestyle to be more healthy. Your doctor may also prescribe medications to relieve constipation following:
- Clotting agent (bulking agents), who does not have to be a cure, to soften and form a stool.
- Stimulant laxatives cause intestinal muscles to contract.
- Osmotic agent that increases the amount of water in the stool to draw water from the lining of the intestine.
- Drug detergent breaks the surface layer of feces, causing water to penetrate and soften.
- Constipation caused by disease, hormonal disorders and blockage, treatment should be done by eliminating the underlying cause. If constipation is caused by the consumption of certain drugs, replacement or modification of the drug dose may be needed.
Tips for You
First, you must realize that the normal frequency of bowel movements is not the same in every person. Defecation frequency range three times a day to three times a week is normal. So do not worry if you do not have bowel movements every day.
To prevent and manage constipation, do the following:
- Expand eat tubers, grains, fruits, and vegetables that are high in fiber
- Ensure adequate fluid intake (about 1.5 to 2 liters a day).
- Move yourself regularly. Just a short walk every day can build a regular bowel movement. If you are confined to a wheelchair or bed, change position frequently and perform abdominal contraction exercises with the legs elevated.
- Massage your stomach in the morning before getting out of bed. Gently massage your abdominal wall along the colon trip for about ten minutes.
- Listen to your gut and do not resist the urge to urinate a great feeling just as busy.
- Set aside enough time to go to the toilet. The best time is after breakfast. Wait at least ten minutes to see if you feel like bowel movements or not. Do it every day at the same time.
When the general steps above have not yet had the desired effect, you can take a dietary fiber supplement that is now being offered in the market. They have no immediate effect, but if taken regularly can normalize bowel movements. Supplements that absorb water and swell in the gut allowing more pressure on the intestinal wall, which stimulates the activity of the intestine so food particles are then transported through the gut faster.
Avoid using laxatives because the colon can become addicted to laxatives stimulation. Do not give laxatives to children without consulting your doctor.
Call your doctor if:
- Constipation continues (persistent)
- Constipation accompanied by abdominal cramps and inability to fart
- Severe abdominal pain, especially if you are overweight
- There is blood or mucus in the stool
- Constipation alternating with diarrhea
- Rectal pain.
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