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(Constipation) Irregular bowel movements. The opposite of diarrhea, constipation is commonly caused by irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis, and medications. Colon cancer can narrow the colon and thereby cause constipation. The large bowel can be visualized by barium enema x-rays, sigmoidoscopy, and colonoscopy. Barring a condition such as cancer, high-fiber diets can frequently relieve the constipation.
As food moves through your digestive system, your body soaks up water and nutrients it needs from the food. What's left over comes out as stool. Normal stool is usually soft and easy to pass, and it generally shouldn't be too difficult to have a bowel movement. But sometimes the bowels just don't move like they should.
Some of the main causes of constipation include:
• Constriction, where part of the intestine or rectum is narrowed or blocked, not allowing feces to move past
• Paralysis, where peristaltic action is diminished or absent
• Insufficient intake of food or dietary fiber, so that a suitable bolus is not formed
• Psychosomatic constipation, based on anxiety or unfamiliarity with surroundings
• Excessive drying of feces, forming a hard bulk that cannot be eliminated
Some medical conditions that may cause constipation include:
• Pregnancy or having given birth
• Problems with the muscles and nerves in the intestine, rectum, or anus
• Irritable bowel syndrome, a condition in which the nerves that control the muscles in the intestine don't function correctly; the intestine becomes sensitive to food, stool, gas, and stress
• Diabetes, a condition in which a person has high blood sugar, also called hyperglycemia, because the body cannot use blood glucose, or blood sugar, for energy
• Hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormone to meet the body's needs and many of the body's functions slow down.
Tips to Avoid Constipation: -
• Eat a well-balanced diet that includes whole grains, fresh fruits, bran and vegetables.
• Drink plenty of clean pure water.
• Exercise, stretch and move.
• Don't ignore the urge to go.
• Take the time to go.
• Take time to relax and reduce stress.
Tips to Constipation (Irregular Bowel Movement): -
• Regular Exercise: - Regular exercise helps your digestive system stay active and healthy. Exercising 20 to 30 minutes every day may help.
• Proper Diet: -Dietary measures such as increasing fiber intake from whole-wheat grains, fresh fruits, vegetables and bran may help add bulk to the stool, thus promoting normal bowel movements. Special efforts should be made toward increasing the daily intake of fluids.
• Check with your doctor about any medicines you take: -Some medicines can cause constipation. Be sure to ask your doctor if any medicines you are taking could cause constipation.
You may be interested in reading Home Remedies to Relieve Hard Constipated Stools and Natural Treatment for Weak Digestion. Also read more Triphala
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