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| How to get rid of constipation |
How to get rid of constipation?
The appearance in our body of certain "problems" causes a peculiar reaction. Constipation is one of the reactions of our body to some malfunctions in the digestive process. By constipation, we mean stool retention for more than twenty-four hours. Why is constipation bad? The process of defecation is a way of excretion of waste products from the body. Our digestive system extracts from the products all the necessary useful and nutritious substances, and all that is superfluous, together with other waste products, is excreted through the rectum.
If defecation is difficult, waste containing toxins and toxins remains in the intestines. All this time they begin to be reabsorbed into the blood, poisoning it and worsening our well-being. The longer we do not go “big”, the more our body gets poisoned by decay products. Therefore, it is in our interests to be aware of the symptoms of constipation and all kinds of ways to treat it.
The content of the article:
- Causes of occurrence
- Symptoms and main types of constipation
- Diagnosis and generally accepted treatment methods
- Folk methods
- Medications
- Help with constipation in a child
Causes of occurrence
You must first understand what causes such an unpleasant phenomenon as constipation. Constipation is a polyetiological disease, that is, it has multiple causes. The most common reasons we can attribute the following.
1. The habit of a person to delay the act of defecation. The vast majority of this phenomenon is associated with the type of professional activity. For example, representatives of such professions are operators of equipment that are forbidden to be left unattended for a long time, or they are sellers in the store, guards at the crossroads, musicians during long concerts, a guide during a long excursion. The list may go on for a long time. But the fact is a violation of the normal process of food circulation in the body. As a result, feces are pressed, stagnant, and subsequently defecation is much more difficult to implement than with the first urge.
2. Hemorrhoids and anal fissures. In this case, a person experiences acute pain during defecation and involuntarily restrains the process. As a result, the effect is obtained as in the first case. There may also be an option in which the output of feces is complicated by hemorrhoidal nodes. In this case, more serious problems with stool appear.
3. Wrong diet. In this case, the body does not receive the substances necessary for the normal formation and discharge of feces. For example, sailors who are on a long voyage eat caviar for months. This product is completely absorbed by the body, and "sea tramps" do not go to the toilet "in the big way" at all. As a result, upon arrival on land, their body requires adaptation to a new diet, which is also fraught with prolonged constipation at first.
You can also get constipation if your menu is lacking in plant fiber. Passing through the intestines, these components, especially the coarse fibers, stimulate its peristalsis and normalize all digestive processes.
"Earn" constipation is possible with insufficient fluid intake. With this option, feces become solid, and their movement through the intestines is greatly hampered.
Constipation
4. The use of antacids, antidepressants, diuretics, anti-allergic drugs and drugs that lower blood pressure, narcotic substances - all this is also highly likely to provoke constipation.
5. Breasts may suffer from constipation if the nutrient mixtures they eat are prepared in violation of the rules (too thick).
6. Often constipation is caused by intense physical exertion and stressful situations that adversely affect the activity of the whole organism.
7. The occurrence of constipation in the elderly is due to weakening of the muscles of the abdominal wall.
8. Constipation after childbirth in women is caused by stretching and muscle atony. They require time and special exercises to restore muscle tone.
9. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can also cause constipation. In this case, constipation can be replaced by diarrhea.
10. Also, constipation can occur with intestinal pathologies. Typically, such pathologies are congenital and may require surgical intervention.
11. Constipation can occur as complications after surgery.
12. Constipation can occur with abnormalities in the endocrine system. In particular, with diabetes, hypothyroidism, menopause and others.
13. Can be manifested by constipation and intoxication with toxic substances - lead, mercury, thallium. Basically, poisoning of this kind is characteristic of harmful industries.
14. Symptoms of constipation may occur and neuralgic diseases associated with damage to the spinal cord, disorders of the innervation of the intestine.
15. Constipation may indicate diseases of the digestive system, for example, cholecystitis in the acute phase.
16. Helminthiasis is also characterized by manifestations in the form of constipation.
Also, constipation can serve as symptoms of more serious diseases of the body - intestinal tumors, diverticulitis, Hirschsprung’s disease and many others.
Symptoms and main types of constipation
Not all constipation is the same. By origin, we can distinguish:
Organic constipation. They are caused by anatomical changes in the intestine - congenital, acquired as a result of diseases and surgical interventions, inflammatory processes, adhesions, inversion of the intestines, entry of the intestine into the intestine, pinching of the omentum, bowel obstruction.
Functional constipation. This type of constipation is associated with problems in the excretory, motor, and suction functions of the large intestine, psychological and emotional trauma, or tension. External changes in the structure of the intestine are not detected.
If constipation of an organic nature is easily diagnosed using colonoscopy, irrigoscopy, and other methods, then functional ones require a diagnosis by exclusion. This, of course, requires significantly more time.
Based on the causative factor, the nature of the disease is distinguished:
Toxic. It is provoked by poisoning the body with toxins (nicotine, lead, nitrobenzene, morphine), excessive abuse of anticholinergics, antispasmodics.
Mechanical. This type of disease is provoked by the occurrence of obstructions in the intestines in the form of scars, lengthenings of the intestine, nodes and tumors.
Reflex. It is provoked by diseases of the digestive organs and various parts of the digestive system.
Alimentary. It is caused by the lack of water and fiber by the body.
Hypokinetic. This type of constipation is characteristic of people with a low level of motor activity. This entails a decrease in muscle tone and fecal stasis.
Endocrine. Appears with a decrease in the functionality of the ovaries, pituitary, and thyroid gland.
Constipation in a child
In accordance with the tone of the intestine, constipation is distinguished:
Spastic. With such ailments, intestinal tone is increased, and this tension makes it difficult to move feces through the intestines.
Atonic. With this type of constipation, the situation is exactly the opposite. The muscles of the intestines are relaxed, and the feces move too "lazily" along it, causing a delay in bowel movement.
The main symptoms of constipation include:
The number of bowel movements less than three times a week.
The process of stool exit requires effort and effort.
The amount of feces is less than 40 grams.
The presence of small round fragments of feces in the final defecation.
A feeling of incompleteness after a bowel movement, new urge to stool.
General fatigue and fatigue, a feeling of “cork” in the gut.
Increased gassing in the intestines.
Sensation of overcrowding in the intestines.
The need for an enema for the act of defecation.
The presence of nausea, fever, cramps.
Bloating.
Poisoning.
Irritability, temper of a person.
Fast fatiguability.
Sleep disturbances.
The appearance of pain and colic in the abdomen.
Loss of skin tone, and its color in a yellowish tint.
Hair loss and fragility, weakness of the nail plates.
Diagnosis and generally accepted treatment methods
Diagnostic studies are carried out by a proctologist after a detailed survey of the patient and clarification of the full symptomatic picture. Specific studies to diagnose the nature of constipation include colonoscopy, irrigoscopy, anorectal manometry, electrogastroenterography.
Colonoscopy is a study of the rectum using a special probe equipped with a camera. These studies allow us to assess the condition of the intestinal mucosa, to identify the presence of tumors, scars, ulcerations and other surface injuries.
Irrigoscopy - gives an idea of the lumen of the intestine, its location, the presence of neoplasms and spasmodic areas, intestinal tone.
Anorectal manometry - used to study the contractility of the anus and rectum.
Electrogastroenterography is a study of the motility of the gastrointestinal tract by recording and processing electromagnetic signals.
It may also apply:
Percussion (tapping) on the abdominal wall. A loud sound indicates the accumulation of gases in the intestines. A dull echo speaks of dense contents that overflow the intestines.
Palpation (palpation) of the abdominal wall for pain and discomfort. The anus may also be palpated for ampulliform expansion.
Studies of urine, blood and feces also provide additional fragments of the picture of the disease.
The main areas of treatment for constipation are:
1. The use of physiotherapy measures - intestinal massage, electrical stimulation and others. Self-massage will be effective here - gently stroking the palm in a circle in a clockwise direction. Electrical stimulation consists in replacing the natural electrical signal of the intestines for peristalsis with artificially generated. This procedure allows you to improve the blood circulation of the intestine and restore its function in normal mode.
2. The inclusion in the daily routine of daily exercise of a moderate nature. Representatives of the office community should attend fitness and walk upstairs more. Exercise in the morning and try to run. It is useful to practice walks in the fresh air, swimming, Nordic walking. Do not physically overload the body excessively and sharply, since this can have the completely opposite effect, and the body will again turn on the mechanisms that provoke constipation under the influence of stress. Try to take into account the individual characteristics of your body as much as possible. Who, no matter how you know yourself "as flaky."
3. Correction of negative conditions provoking the occurrence of constipation - harmful environmental conditions, daily routine, diet and diet, restoration of the defecation reflex. In this, a large role belongs to the patient and his desire to restore normal body functions.
4. Organization of a special diet with the inclusion of mandatory fiber intake, a sufficient amount of fluid. Conscious regulation of eating behavior includes enrichment of the diet with vegetables, fruits, prunes, dried apricots, fruit nectars, dairy products, mineral waters, rye and wheat bran (steamed), vegetable and butter. Fiber should be present on the menu in both natural and boiled form. Try to prefer stewed, boiled foods and oven-baked dishes. Strongly cross out alcohol, fried, spicy, smoked and pickled, carbonated drinks. Very important:
Drink fluids in the required volume (at least two liters per day).
Regular diet at a set time. Eat at least five times daily.
Using the toilet “on schedule”, preferably after breakfast, defecation in comfortable conditions and posture, without rushing.
Cross out from the diet: bread from premium flour, pasta, rice, semolina, fatty meat, fatty fish, canned food, chocolate, tea, coffee, dogwood, sweets with a cream base.
5. Avoidance of stress and emotional upheaval. Try to less overload the body with all sorts of unnecessary experiences. The most important thing is the health of your body.
6. The use of laxatives. Their use will facilitate at first the unloading of your intestines and gradually bring it back to normal with the help of special diet food.
Folk methods
Folk remedies are traditionally an excellent alternative to traditional medicine and have been tested by many generations of people. The most popular remedies for constipation include the following.
1. Melissa. Melissa leaves are dried and crushed. Three grams of the component are welded in a glass, kept in a closed container until cool. The infusion is filtered, then 30-40 grams of it are introduced through an enema into the rectum.
2. Horse sorrel. Two table boats of dried and ground root of the plant are boiled in half a liter of water on a miniature flame for about half an hour. To drink at night in a glass, the laxative effect of the infusion will be observed by the next morning. If you take this tool in smaller quantities, the laxative effect will not be achieved.
3. Herbal collection. The leaves of wild strawberries, nettles, peppermint, chamomile flowers, tansy, rhizomes of horse sorrel, valerian, anise fruits, buckthorn bark are taken and mixed in equal proportions: 0.1 kg. the mixture is boiled in 0.3 liters. boiling water, heated on a steam bath for a quarter of an hour, poured into a thermos and stood for about 60 minutes. The infusion is divided into equal parts and is drunk in the morning and evening.
4. Onion juice. Juice squeezed from onions is taken on a spoon (teaspoon) preceding food 3-4 times a day. Course admission is 21 days. A 21-day timeout is taken and the course is repeated.
5. Elderberry fruits. Two tablespoons of chopped elderberry fruits are poured with a glass of non-hot boiled water, stand for about two hours, filtered. An infusion of half a cup on the eve of sleep is taken. It has an excellent laxative effect.
6. Aloe. One hundred and fifty grams of chopped aloe leaves are poured with natural honey (three hundred grams), infused for a day. The resulting mass is heated and filtered. Reception is carried out in the morning - a dessert spoon, preceding a meal.
Fresh juice of the plant is taken, preceding a meal, 3 times a day. The course period of admission is 30 days.
7. Blueberries. Twigs and leaves of berries are mixed and poured with a glass of water, boiled and cooked on a small flame for about ten minutes. After - insist approximately an hour. The infusion is filtered and drunk one tablespoon daily.
8. Castor oil. With constipation, a spoonful of this wonderful drug is taken on an empty stomach. The effect of it occurs after about 4-5 hours. Continuous use of this drug is not recommended.
9. Oregano. Three tablespoons of the ingredient are poured 500 gr. vegetable oil and left to infuse for about a day. Five drops of oil are taken before eating.
10. Seeds of burdock. Ripe seeds of a plant (with half-barley) are poured into a glass of boiling water. They steam in a steam bath for about one hundred and twenty minutes. After the broth is filtered and drunk in one sitting.
11. Iris. The fresh stem of the plant is finely chopped and mixed with 0.3 tablespoons (teaspoon) of honey.
Medications
In general, drugs with a laxative effect are divided into four groups in accordance with the mechanism of influence on the intestines:
1. Medicines that provoke the occurrence of peristalsis of the intestinal receptors (colon). The effect manifests itself after six hours and causes a single bowel movement ("Guttalax").
2. Medicines that cause an increase in the size of feces, which provokes the urge to defecate in case of insufficient mass.
3. Medicines designed to hold water in the intestines (thick) and to help soften feces to facilitate the process of defecation (lactulose).
4. Oils have the ability to irritate the intestinal mucosa and cause urge to stool.
Help with constipation in a child
Initially, it is important to establish the etiology of constipation. This should be done by the pediatrician.
In the absence of congenital pathologies, in the treatment of constipation in a child, the whole range of measures is aimed at restoring the normal balance of intestinal microflora, since constipation arises precisely because of an imbalance.
Sour milk products containing bifidobacteria are recommended as effective agents. If the dysbiosis is acute, then taking prebiotics and probiotics is required.
To eliminate flatulence, colic and constipation, it is recommended to take children's drugs based on Simethicone - Espumisan, SAB Simplex.
A nursing mother should carefully monitor her diet. Exclude cabbage, grapes, brown bread from it to avoid flatulence in the crumbs.
Abdominal pain
It is also important to ensure normal motor activity for the baby. This helps to restore stable intestinal motility.
If the child has not been cocoa for more than three days, try lubricating the cotton swab with petroleum jelly and carefully inserting it a little into the baby’s ass and irritating the anus. This can help the little one to poop pretty quickly. If this does not help, you can apply an enema.
All actions are very important to coordinate with the pediatrician. Do not self-medicate, especially regarding your baby.
Remember, constipation is an occasion to think about lifestyle and eating style, and not a harmless phenomenon.