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| This page is a Constipation Compendium What is it ? Causes, Treatment, Old myths, Medications, Diagnostic Tests, Research, Hope, Who Gets it. , More information, noitapitsnoc, irritable bowel syndrome, hard faeces. laxitives, intestinal function, chronic idopathic constipation, colon and rectal problems, anal sphincter, digestive diseases, treatment, research, myths, suppositories, enemas, colon cleansing, bulk agents, medications, habits, regular exercise, bran and other medical helpers. |
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Constipation Myths?
Constipation, Dispelling the MythsRelated MedicineNet Links
Bulk of Constipation Myths
Unfounded By Steven Reinberg
TUESDAY, Jan. 4 (HealthDayNews) -- Conventional wisdom about constipation is often only folklore, with no basis in fact, a new German report claims. The beliefs that fiber or water can cure constipation and that laxatives can damage the colon or become addictive are simply wrong, the researchers said. To dispel these and other misconceptions, they looked at the common beliefs about constipation and reviewed medical trials to separate fact from fiction. "Chronic constipation is uncomfortable, but not dangerous," lead researcher Dr. Stefan A. Müller-Lissner, a professor of internal medicine and gastroenterology at Humboldt University in Berlin, said in a statement. "This might be the reason why medical doctors often do not take it seriously. There are many unproven beliefs about constipation, but most of them are not tenable upon closer investigation with scientific methods." For example, there is no evidence that disease can be caused by the absorption of poisonous substances from stools being absorbed by the colon, according to the report in the January issue of the American Journal of Gastroenterology. Other common misconceptions are that an elongated colon can cause constipation, or that a low-fiber diet can cause constipation. Although some patients may be helped by a high-fiber diet, many who have severe constipation may get worse when fiber intake is increased, the researchers noted. Moreover, unless you are dehydrated, increasing the amount of fluid you drink won't cure constipation, Müller-Lissner's team said. Perhaps most interesting is the myth that laxatives can damage the colon. According to the researchers, "It is unlikely that stimulant laxatives at recommended doses are harmful to the colon." Although some patients with chronic constipation are dependent on laxatives, this does not mean this is the result of continuous use of laxatives. "Tolerance to stimulant laxatives is uncommon. There is no indication for the occurrence of 'rebound constipation' after stopping laxative intake. While laxatives may be misused, there is no potential for addiction," the researchers wrote. Moreover, laxatives do not increase the risk of colon cancer or nerve damage in the colon, the researchers said. Among older patients, constipation may be present with decreased physical activity, but the decrease in activity is not the cause of constipation, the researchers added. Given these facts, "patients may no longer be bothered by ineffective advice regarding fiber and fluid ingestion nor threatened by the side effects of laxatives," Müller-Lissner said. "Also, unnecessary colonic resections may be avoided." According to the American College of Gastroenterology, there are 2.5 million doctor visits for constipation in the United States each year, and hundreds of millions of dollars are spent on laxatives annually. "This is an important article," said Dr. Benjamin Krevsky, director of gastrointestinal endoscopy at Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia. "It is important because there are a lot of misconceptions about chronic constipation, both amongst doctors and patients." Krevsky noted that fiber or fluid can be part of the treatment. In terms of laxatives, Krevsky said that modern laxatives are both safe and effective. "The laxatives we have today are different than the laxatives we had in the '40s and '50s," he stressed. "Probably in the '40s and '50s, there were people who did get injury to their bowel from the chronic use of laxatives. But the laxatives out there today are much safer and much less likely to do that," he said. If you have constipation, see your doctor, Krevsky advised. "Work with your doctor to find a regimen that is going to be safe and healthy for you," he said. Digestive Diseases Awareness11 Digestive Disease MythsResearchers have only recently begun to understand the many, often complex, diseases that affect the digestive system. Accordingly, people are gradually replacing folklore, old wives' tales, and rumors about the causes and treatments of digestive diseases with accurate, up-to-date information. But misunderstandings still exist, and, while some folklore is harmless, some can be dangerous if it keeps a person from correctly preventing or treating an illness. Listed below are some common misconceptions (fallacies), about digestive diseases, followed by the facts as professionals understand them today. Myth # 1: Crohn's disease is contagious. Myth # 2: Inflammatory bowel disease is caused by
psychological problems. Myth # 3: Spicy food and
stress cause stomach ulcers. Myth # 4: Smoking a cigarette helps relieve
heartburn. Myth # 5: Bowel regularity means a bowel movement
every day. Myth # 6: Habitual use of enemas to treat
constipation is harmless. Myth # 7: Celiac disease is a rare childhood
disease. People with celiac disease should not eat any foods containing gluten, a protein in wheat, rye, barley, and possibly oats, regardless of whether or not they have symptoms. In these people, gluten destroys part of the lining of the small intestine, which interferes with the absorption of nutrients. The damage can occur from even a small amount of gluten, and not everyone has symptoms of damage. Myth # 8: Diverticulosis is an uncommon and
serious problem. |
What causes constipation?To understand constipation, it helps to know how the colon (large intestine) works. As food moves through the colon, it absorbs water while forming waste products, or stool. Muscle contractions in the colon push the stool toward the rectum. By the time stool reaches the rectum, it is solid because most of the water has been absorbed. The hard and dry stools of constipation occur when the colon absorbs too much water or if the colon's muscle contractions are slow or sluggish, causing the stool to move through the colon too slowly. Common causes of constipation are
Not Enough Fiber in the DietThe most common cause of constipation is a diet low in fiber found in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains and high in fats found in cheese, eggs, and meats. People who eat plenty of high-fiber foods are less likely to become constipated. Fiber--both soluble and insoluble--is the part of fruits, vegetables, and grains that the body cannot digest. Soluble fiber dissolves easily in water and takes on a soft, gel-like texture in the intestines. Insoluble fiber passes through the intestines almost unchanged. The bulk and soft texture of fiber help prevent hard, dry stools that are difficult to pass. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, Americans eat an average of 5 to 14 grams of fiber daily,* short of the 20 to 35 grams recommended by the American Dietetic Association. Both children and adults eat too many refined and processed foods from which the natural fiber has been removed. A low-fiber diet also plays a key role in constipation among older adults, who may lose interest in eating and choose convenience foods low in fiber. In addition, difficulties with chewing or swallowing may force older people to eat soft foods that are processed and low in fiber. *National Center for Health Statistics. Dietary Intake of Macronutrients, Micronutrients, and Other Dietary Constituents: United States, 1988-94. Vital and Health Statistics, Series 11, number 245. July 2002. Not Enough LiquidsLiquids like water and juice add fluid to the colon and bulk to stools, making bowel movements softer and easier to pass. People who have problems with constipation should drink enough of these liquids every day, about eight 8-ounce glasses. Liquids that contain caffeine, like coffee and cola drinks, and alcohol have a dehydrating effect. Lack of ExerciseLack of exercise can lead to constipation, although doctors do not know precisely why. For example, constipation often occurs after an accident or during an illness when one must stay in bed and cannot exercise. |
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Constipation
Medications.
MedicationsSome medications can cause constipation. They include
Medications: A frequently over-looked cause of constipation is medications. The most common offending medications include:
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| Habit: Bowel movements
are under voluntary control. This means that the normal urge people feel
when they need to have a bowel movement can be suppressed. Although
occasionally it is appropriate to suppress an urge to defecate (e.g., when
a bathroom is not available), doing this too frequently can lead to a
disappearance of urges and result in constipation. Diet: Fiber is important in maintaining a soft, bulky stool. Diets that are low in fiber can, therefore, cause constipation. The best natural sources of fiber are fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Laxatives: One suspected cause of severe constipation is the over-use of stimulant laxatives (e.g., senna, castor oil, and certain herbs). An association has been shown between the chronic use of stimulanat laxatives and damage to the nerves and muscles of the colon, and it is believed that the damage is responsible for the constipation. It is not clear, however, whether the laxatives have caused the damage or whether the damage existed prior to the use of laxatives and, indeed, has caused the laxatives to be used. Nevertheless, because of the possibility that stimulant laxatives can damage the colon, most experts recommend that stimulant laxatives be used as a last resort after non-stimulant treatments have failed. Hormonal disorders: Hormones can affect bowel movements. For example, too little thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism) and too much parathyroid hormone (by raising the calcium levels in the blood) can cause constipation. At the time of a woman's menstrual periods, estrogen and progesterone levels are high and may cause constipation. However, this is rarely a prolonged problem. High levels of estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy also can cause constipation. Diseases that affect the colon: There are many diseases that can affect the function of the muscles and/or nerves of the colon. These include diabetes, scleroderma, intestinal pseudo-obstruction, Hirschsprung's disease, and Chagas disease. Cancer or narrowing (stricture) of the colon that blocks the colon likewise can cause a decrease in the flow of stool. Central nervous system diseases: A few diseases of the brain and spinal cord may cause constipation, including Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and spinal cord injuries. Colonic inertia: Colonic inertia is a condition in which the nerves and/or muscles of the colon do not work normally. As a result, the contents of the colon are not propelled through the colon normally. The cause of colonic inertia is unclear. In some cases, the muscles or nerves of the colon are diseased. Colonic inertia can also be the result of the chronic use of stimulant laxatives. In most cases, however, there is no clear cause. Pelvic floor dysfunction: Pelvic floor dysfunction (also known as outlet obstruction or outlet delay) refers to a condition in which the muscles of the lower pelvis that surround the rectum (the pelvic floor muscles) do not work normally. These muscles are critical for defecation (bowel movement). It is not known why these muscles fail to work properly in some people, but they can make the passage of stools difficult even when everything else is normal. |
For More InformationInternational Foundation for Functional
Gastrointestinal Disorders Inc. American Gastroenterological Association
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Have You Had Your Bowel
Movement Today? The intestinal tract is composed of the small intestine which is attached to the lower part of the stomach then moves into the large intestine and finally the colon. Whatever you eat has to be properly digested and then move its way through a long, approximately 35 feet in length, intestinal lining to finally exit the rectum. So don’t you think the most important area to keep clean in your body would be that 35 feet of food storage wasteland? Constipation & Bowel MovementsIt is time that people realize how the digestive track breaks down food into smaller particles and then ultimately into the vitamins, minerals and nutrients that you need to survive. As we age we develop a thick coating that is hard as wood and which literally sticks to the sides of our intestinal walls. When this coating adheres to the walls of your intestinal lining and your food then moves through, it is hard for your body to absorb the proper nutrients that it needs into the bloodstream so the blood can then in turn carry these vital nutrients to all the organs and tissues in your body. This is why it is essential to not only clean the colon but to purify and keep the whole intestinal lining clean at all times and free from any plaque or debris. You must have a minimum of one bowel movement a day---actually, we recommend two a day. After years of research and studying bowel habits, constipation and different bowel disease we have found that keeping the bowel clean will not only reduce or prevent most types of disease but will also eliminate chronic bloating, symptoms of fatigue, headaches, nausea and a whole list of other symptoms. We recommend and use a product called Oxy-Powder that will focus on cleansing and keeping clean your whole intestinal tract. By using Oxy-Powder every other evening you can ensure that you will have regular bowel movements and keep your intestinal lining clean and functioning properly. You must have regular bowel movements to prevent toxic chemicals from leaking through the walls of the intestinal tract into the blood. I also recommend drinking at least 64 ounces of purified water daily to help the intestinal tract move the toxic residue out of the body. Constipation is a sneaky, undiagnosed, disabling epidemic that is sweeping America as we speak. Perhaps all of this doesn’t surprise you. Let’s take a look at the following categories of disease and disorders that can be related either directly or indirectly to the colon and constipation: heart disease, high blood pressure, fatigue, irritability, varicose veins, gas, heart burn, bloating, obesity, diabetes, arthritis and more. Some of these side effects or symptoms are a hundred times worse than the constipation itself. So if your doctor is treating you with traditional drugs or surgery he is most likely covering up your symptoms and possibly making your condition worse. I recommend the following to ensure a healthy clean colon, easily and naturally without any drugs, surgery or toxic side effects: a good diet, lots of live foods, a lot of pure water, the product Oxy-Powder and exercise. |
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What Your Doctor Doesn't Know
About Constipation You see, what's so dangerous about being constipated is that it’s not an injury like a broken bone or a cut or scrap. Constipation comes on slowly. You don't notice it at first, or maybe you just brush off not going to the bathroom thinking it's nothing, and then it slowly builds and builds. You start feeling heavy, sick and bloated. You become more irritable. You start taking pills or laxatives to get through the day, or you call in sick to work. If you were to go to your family or company doctor complaining about fatigue, weight gain, Hemorrhoids, gas, body odor, skin problems, headaches, indigestion, depression, even abdominal pains, you'll probably hear something along the lines of…"You are probably constipated. Here are some laxatives. Come back if that doesn't take care of it." The Constipation AlarmThis is a blaring alarm that your doctor may not be the person to talk to. You see, most doctors do great with general medicine. If you have broken bones, or need emergency care, medical science can do wonders! But when it comes to a condition like a clogged bowel, many doctors just don’t have the training or experience to properly treat the true cause of your problem and get you relieved for good. The main problem with the kind of treatments many doctors give for conditions like constipation or colon cleansing is that they never go after the root of the problem, but focus on the symptoms, in your case; abdominal pain, not going to the bathroom in 2-4 days and other irritating symptoms. And when these treatments wear off (which they do), you'll often find they only cover up the real problem for a short time and did nothing to fix what's causing your constipation in the first place. The Effects of ConstipationConstipation has been implicated in the cause of numerous diseases and disorders including: Appendicitis (One of the most common abdominal emergencies here in the U.S. It has been estimated that more than 300,000 appendices are removed each year in this country), Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis, Hemorrhoids, Benign Tumors, IBS (including Spastic Colon), Ulcerative Colitis, and Crohn's disease. And that's not all... Perhaps this doesn't surprise you. But take a look at the following categories of diseases and disorders that can also be related either directly or indirectly to the colon: Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Stroke, Varicose Veins, Deep Vein Thrombosis, Pulmonary Embolism, Diabetes, Gall Stones, Kidney Stones, Obesity, Gout, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis, Psoriasis, — Especially Diabetes Mellitus, type II—"adult onset diabetes"; It has been estimated that 3-10% of the population eventually develop known diabetes and that a much greater proportion have the disease undetected. If you're suffering from constipation, and you don't want to get worse, then there is hope for you to get rid of your impacted bowel once and for all! There are many ways to clean a bowel and keep it moving effectively. We use a natural oxygen based cleanser called Oxy-Powder in conjunction with exercise, water and live foods and fiber. |
Constipation Information
Article provided
by the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
Constipation Information
Who gets constipated? Constipation is
one of the most common gastrointestinal complaints in the United States,
resulting in about 2 million doctor visits annually. However, most
people treat themselves without seeking medical help, as is evident from
the millions of dollars Americans spend on laxatives each year. |
Constipation and Colon Cleansing
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| What is Constipation. Constipation is a condition in which too much water is absorbed from the large intestine back into the bloodstream, leaving the faeces dry, hard and difficult to expel. Caused by a lack of fibre in the diet (fibre holds water, preventing the faeces becoming too hard). |
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