Constipation means different things to different people. For many people, it simply means infrequent bowel movements. However, for others, constipation means hard dirt, difficulty passing feces (straining), or a sense of incomplete deposition after bowel movements. The cause of each of these "types" of constipation probably is different, and the approach to each should be tailored to the specific type of constipation. Constipation can also alternate with diarrhea. This pattern is more commonly considered as part of Pemara Bowel Syndrome (IBS). At the extreme end of the constipation spectrum is fecal impaction, a condition in which the feces become hard section rectum and difficulty passing bowel movements.
The number of bowel movements generally decreases with age. Ninety-five percent of adults have bowel movements between three and 21 times per week, and this would be considered normal. The most common pattern is one bowel movement a day, but this pattern is seen in less than 50% of people. In addition, most people who do not have a bowel movement every day or an amount equal to having bowel movements.
Medical stated, constipation usually is defined as fewer than three bowel movements per week. Severe constipation is defined as less than one bowel movement per week. There is no medical reason to have a bowel movement every day. Without doing a bowel movement for two or three days does not cause physical discomfort, only mental distress for some people. Contrary to popular belief, there is no evidence that "toxins" accumulate when bowel movements are infrequent or that constipation leads to cancer.
It is important to distinguish acute (recent onset) constipation from chronic (duration) constipation. Acute constipation requires urgent assessment because a serious illness can be critical (eg, tumor Intestine). Constipation also requires an immediate actions if accompanied by symptoms such as rectal bleeding, abdominal pain and cramping, nausea and vomiting, and weight loss. In contrast, the assessment of chronic constipation may not require immediate attention, particularly if simple measures bring relief.
What causes constipation?
Theoretically, constipation can be caused by the slow movement of the digestion of food through any part of the intestine. More than 95% of the time, however, the deceleration occurs in the intestine.
Drugs: Often the cause of constipation is a drug. The most common drugs that are disturbing, including:
Narcotic pain medications such as codeine (eg, Tylenol # 3), oxycodone (eg, Percocet), and hydromorphone (Dilaudid);
Anticonvulsants such as phenytoin (Dilantin) and Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Iron supplements
Calcium channel blocking drugs such as deltiazem (Cardizem) and nefedipine (Procardia)
Aluminum-containing antacids such as Amphojel and Basaljel
In addition to the drugs listed above, there are many reasons that cause constipation. Simple measures (eg, an increase in dietary fiber) for treating constipation with more effective drugs, and do not continue to use drugs that are not needed.
If simple measures do not work, they can be replaced with drugs constipation lighter. For example, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (eg, ibuprofen) may be substituted for narcotic pain medication. In addition, one of the newer and less constipation anti-depressant drugs (eg, fluoxetine or Prozac) can be substituted for amitriptylene and imipramine.
Habit: bowel movements are under voluntary control
This means making people postpone bowel movements. Although it is sometimes considered appropriate to hold an urge to defecate (for example, when a bathroom is not available), but, too often this can lead to loss of urge and cause constipation.
Diet:
Fiber is important in creating dirt into soft, bulky stools.
A diet low in fiber can lead to constipation. The best natural sources of fiber are fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Laxatives:
One of the alleged cause of severe constipation is over-driving the use of laxatives (eg, senna, castor oil, and certain herbs).
Association has been shown between the chronic use of laxatives stimulanat and damage to the nerves and muscles colon, and it is believed that the damage caused by constipation. It is unclear, however, whether laxatives has caused damage or if there is any damage before use laxatives, or vice versa, leading to laxative use. However, due most likely to use laxatives can damage the colon stimulation, most experts recommend laxatives are used as a last resort after non-booster treatments have failed.
Hormonal disorders:
Hormones can affect bowel movements. For example, too little thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism) and too much parathyroid hormone (by raising the levels of calcium in the blood) can cause constipation. At the women's menstrual periods, estrogen and progesterone levels high and can cause constipation. However, this is a rare problem. High levels of estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy can also cause constipation.
Diseases that affect the colon:
There are many diseases that can affect the function of the muscles and / or tendons colon. Including diabetes, scleroderma, intestinal pseudo-obstruction, Hirschsprung's disease, and Chagas disease. Cancer or less (narrowing) of the intestine that blocks the colon can also cause a decrease in the frequency of bowel movements.
Diseases of the central nervous system:
Some diseases of the brain and spinal cord can cause constipation, including Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury.
Weakness colon:
Colonic weakness is a condition in which the nerves and / or muscles of the colon is not functioning normally. As a result, the contents of the intestine that does not move through the intestines normally. The cause is not obvious weakness colon. In some cases, the colon muscle or nerve pain. Klemahan colon can also result from chronic use of laxatives driving. In many cases, no obvious cause.
Dysfunction base of the pelvis:
base of pelvic dysfunction refers to a condition in which the lower pelvic muscles around the anus (the base of the pelvic floor muscles) are not functioning normally. This muscle is essential for defecation (bowel movement). It is not known why these muscles fail to work well in some people, but they can make it difficult dirt through even when everything is normal.
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