Constipation: the Solution
Treatment can be started once the cause of constipation can be found. Slow transit constipation requires aggressive medical or surgical management. But only approximately 60% of patients with constipation are found to have such a physiologic disorder and half of them with colonic transit delay and half with evacuation disorder.
Patients with slow transit constipation are treated with bulk, osmotic, prokinetic, secretory, and stimulant laxatives. Some of the laxatives are fiber, psyllium, milk of magnesia, lactulose, polyethylene glycol (colonic lavage solution), lubiprostone, and bisacodyl. Latest treatment of constipation is aimed at increasing motility of intestines. For 3 to 6 months patient should be tried with medical management, but if it fails to give proper result than surgical management can be decided. But surgical management should not be considered if motility disorder is present, because it will not improve the problem of constipation.
Largest number of patient with constipation are of idiopathic type that is a cause can not be ascertained and vast majority of patients complaining of constipation, basically have some form of misunderstanding regarding constipation.
The following measures can relieve/improve the problem of constipation:
- Person suffering from constipation should do regular exercise for about half hour everyday. Moderate exercise like brisk walking or cycling is very good examples of moderate exercise. Aerobics can also be done every day. Exercise should be done at least for five days a week, less than five days a week will not give desired result.
- Consume sufficient quantity of fiber in the diet. This is the most important aspect of constipation management. For this one should have clear idea of food and nutrition and fiber diet. Some of the examples of fiber diets are whole grain, fruits, vegetables, roots and tubers. Refined food is low in fiber and consumption of these refined foods is the main reason of constipation in western countries. Any natural food without refining is good source of fiber. Consumption is not as common in developing countries as in western countries is due to consumption of large quantity of natural food without refining like whole grain (staple food), vegetables and fruits. Meat, fish and other animal products contain less amount of fiber.
- Drink plenty of water to get relief from constipation, drink about 3 to 4 liters of water every day. This help to soften the stool and the stool volume also increases which make it easier to pass.
- Regularize the bowel habit, preferably in the morning. Make it a habit, it may take some time to become habit but it is a very good habit to solve problem of constipation. It is said that habit is second nature, and once you can make a second nature you can solve your problem of constipation.
- Do not make habit of using laxatives for minor constipation. If all the above mentioned strategies fail than only one should go for laxatives. At first try natural laxatives like husk of isopgola. If this fail than go for other types.
- Change your lifestyle. This is one of the important strategies to get rid off constipation. You should know what you are eating and try to eat healthy.
The above strategies can be of very much use if one is suffering from constipation.
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