Constipation may be defined as a disorder characterized by the body's incapacity to move bowel freely and properly. Drying and hardening of stool in the rectum leads to much difficulty and straining for long hours while moving bowel. Therefore the process of moving bowel is quite painful for a person with constipation. Over-exertion may at times result in another ailment called piles. One bowel movement each day is the normal pattern of bowel movement. Depending upon bowel movement counts, constipation may be classified as acute, severe and chronic. Sudden or recent onset of constipation in the midst of normal bowel moving pattern is referred to as acute constipation.
We all have experienced acute constipation some times or the other. Chronic constipation is one that continues for long duration. Less than one bowel movement per week is referred to as severe constipation. Constipation produces symptoms like infrequent bowel movement, pressurizing while passing stool, passage of hard stool, feeling of incomplete evacuation of bowel, coated tongue, bad breath, headache, giddiness, loss of appetite, occurrence of pimples, abdominal pain, vomiting and nausea, dark circles under eyes, unexplained weight loss, acidity, mouth ulcer, varicose vein and rectal bleeding.
The root-cause of constipation lies in the delayed or slow movement of digesting food through colon. When digesting food passes through colon, colon absorbs the water from it, thereby forming the waste material or stool which is pushed towards the rectum by means of muscular contractions in colon. When colon absorbs all or more water than usual, the stool becomes extremely hard, dry and sticky and too difficult to be passed out during bowel movement. In such a case, the person is said to be constipated. Occurrence of constipation may be attributed to the following factors:
1. Aging
2. Excessive consumption of dairy products.
3. Low fiber diet
4. Inadequate water intake
5. Irregular eating habit
6. Inactivity
7. Weak abdominal muscles
8. Stress
9. Resisting frequently the urge of bowel movement.
10. Irregular routine of bowel movement
11. Overuse of laxatives resulting in weak colon muscles.
12. Medications like narcotic pain relievers, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, iron supplements, certain antacids etc.
13. Irritable bowel syndrome
14. Certain diseases like hypothyroidism, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, scleroderma, depression, diabetes, colon tumors, colonic inertia, intestinal pseudo-obstruction etc.
15. Hormonal fluctuation during pregnancy, menses, menopause etc.
Home Remedies for Constipation
1. Eat home made bread made out of one part of wheat and two parts of black gram powder along with husk. This ensures effective cleansing of bowel.
2. Boil 10-12 dry, seedless grapes in milk. Drink the milk and chew the grapes after dinner. This is an effective home remedy for constipation.
3. Eat mangoes in plenty. Mango relieves constipation.
4. Take dates soaked in milk along with the milk. This prevents constipation.
5. Eat a guava early morning in empty stomach. This is an effective constipation cure.
6. Drink half cup cabbage juice 2 times daily. This helps to get rid of constipation.
7. Drink a glass full of carrot juice mixed with spinach juice and get freedom from constipation.
8. Drink a mixture of half cup olive oil and half cup orange juice daily. This cures constipation.
9. Take 3-4 teaspoons of castor oil regularly to put an end to constipation.
10. Drink a glass of hot water by mixing in to it, lime juice and a pinch of salt. This provides relief from constipation.
11. Drinking the water stored in copper vessel overnight, cleans bowel thoroughly.
Read more Home Remedies for Constipation. Also know useful Home Remedies for Colitis.