Constipation is the state of inability to pass stools. It may be absolute when one is not able to pass stool at all or relative when stools are passed with difficulty. Constipation is not only a problem by itself but gives rise to many other health related problems. One suffering from constipation does not realize that the abdominal pain, bodyache, nausea, heart burn, lethargy, eructation, e.t.c., all other symptoms he is experiencing are because of constipation only. It is not a disease, but in majority of cases, a state of sluggish functioning of the bowels, which can be corrected very well. Chronic constipation becomes one of the reasons for making a person feel sick and seeking medical treatment and affecting his work. Diseases like diabetes mellitus, tuberculosis of the intestines, crohn’s disease, e.t.c., can cause change in bowel habits and constipation in the affected individual. Spinal injuries also cause constipation along with urinary retention and paralysis of limbs. Antacids like aluminium hydroxide, drugs like buscopan used for abdominal pain, iron syrups and tablets, are some of the drugs which produce constipation as a side effect. Constipation produced due to some disease of the intestines or due to drugs reverses completely after the cause is removed. But in all other cases, which are the bulk of persons suffering from constipation, it is produced due to a functional abnormality of bowels. Defective diet lacking in fiber and water makes the intestines sluggish and this augments over time. Result is constipation. Lack of physical exercise also contributes to it. As the intestines become more and more sluggish, constipation also increases, becoming more troublesome. People affected, spend their valuable time and money in buying sure shot indigenous medicines and visiting hospitals for something which they can rectify themselves by correcting their food habits. It is surprising to see youngsters being hospitalized for constipation, and then lying down continuously presuming to be sick, although what is needed is drinking of much water and moving around actively to activate the bowels. Constipation can occur in young and old alike. With advancing age, intestinal motility tends to become slow, causing constipation in elderly people. The young suffer from constipation due to defective life styles and stress. Mental stress is yet another factor which causes and maintains constipation. Intake of high carbohydrate foods like potatoes, sweet potatoes, bananas, also aggravate constipation as their fiber content is negligible. Fresh green vegetables and fruits with high fiber content are very useful for constipation. Papaya is very useful in this regard as it has a high content of pectin an enzyme which helps in digestion. Eating whole wheat bread is more advantageous as compared to bread made of refined white flour. Not only is it more nutritious but has a high fiber content which prevents constipation. Drinking plenty of water ensures good movement of bowels and helps to control constipation. One suffering from constipation should start taking hot water in the night before sleeping to cleanse the bowels in the morning. Hot water acts as a laxative. Some people also drink 2 to 3 glasses of hot water in the morning to avoid constipation. Regular physical exercise is beneficial for overall general health of the body and also constipation.After adopting these measures a person needs to be patient. The results appear slowly and not overnight. The intestines which have become sluggish over years take time to restore their normal functions. One should not become dependant on laxative drugs for relieving constipation. These drugs are habit forming. That is after some time of use the body becomes resistant to their effect and their dose has to increase. With increasing dose there is risk of dilatation of the large intestine, which causes sense of bloating after food and also aggravates constipation. Constipation is a correctable problem but causes much sickness and suffering in people due to ignorance about it. In extreme cases, and rarely, death can also occur due to total paralysis of bowel movements. It is wise to prevent constipation rather than seeking magic remedies which would cure it instantly. Once it is improved by correct diet and physical activity, there is usually no relapse. rachna212002@yahoo.co.uk
