Chronic Constipation

What is Chronic Constipation?

Constipation is difficulty having a bowel movement or when you have fewer bowel movements than usual. The stool can be hard, dry, and sometimes painful to pass. You may also have stomach pain, fullness, bloating, the feeling of rectal pressure, and the need to strain. Common causes of constipation include a diet low in fiber, not drinking enough water, lack of exercise, changes in lifestyle or routine, emotional stress, inadequate sleep, pregnancy, age, ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement, certain medications (e.g. pain medications), and medical conditions.

Chronic constipation is a symptom-based disorder characterized by unsatisfactory defecation due to infrequent stools, difficult stool passage, or both.

Difficult stool passage includes symptoms of straining, difficulty expelling stool, a sense of incomplete evacuation, hard or lumpy stools, prolonged time to stool, or a need for manual manoeuvres to pass stool, which has been present for at least 3 of the prior 12 months.

How to prevent Constipation :

• Eat three well-balanced meals each day. Do not miss any meals.
• Gradually increase the amount of high-fiber foods in your diet. A diet with enough fiber (i.e. about 20 to 35 grams each day), helps form soft and bulky stool. Good sources of high-fiber include beans, whole-grain breads, rice, and bran cereals along with fresh fruits and vegetables such as sprouts, cabbage, and carrots.
• Limit the amount of milk or cheese products, highly refined and processed foods in the diet.
• Drink six to eight (8-ounce) glasses of water each day.
• Exercise regularly. Weight bearing exercises, such as walking, three or more times each week is helpful.
• Minimize stress in your life. Go for a short walk when you feel stress increasing.
• Go to sleep at a regular time each night. Make sure you get enough sleep.
• Respond right away to the urge to have a bowel movement. Do not ignore the urge.
• Consider reviewing your medications with your physician for ones that can make constipation worse.
• You should only use laxatives as needed for treating constipation and if approved by your doctor.
• Prunes or prune juice is often useful in maintaining regular bowel function.
• If you have any medical conditions, ask your doctor whether they predispose you to constipation and what can be done.

Treatment of Chronic Constipation

Ayurveda has successful treatment for Chronic Constipation. If you have any questions about constipation, please contact your kshar sutra experts who can diagnose constipation with a thorough history and physical exam along with appropriate tests. Management includes the right treatment plan and regular visits with your doctor. Your doctor will help you choose which treatment(s) will work best for you.

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