Constipation: The Eight Most Common Myths
If you do not have a bowel movement every day, that is not a major cause for concern. It is said that you have digestion problems if the bowel movements are less often than three times a week and that the constipation exists if they are less often than once a week. In addition to the rhythm of bowel movement, the irregular digestion requires more effort during emptying; the stool is hard, dry and smaller in quantity.
It is true that the fiber can be of great help in the case of constipation; however, chronic constipation accompanies diabetes, thyroid disease, Parkinson's disease, bowel disease and so on. If constipation lasts longer than two weeks, if you notice blood in your stool, feel pain in your stomach, lose weight even though you did not change your eating habits, you should visit a doctor.
Ignoring the urge, in addition to creating a psychical discomfort, can worsen the situation in people who have problems with bowel movement because after multiple delays the signal becomes weaker.
Insoluble fibers are the most suitable for relieving constipation. They have the ability to swell and form a voluminous mass of slime by binding a substantial amount of water, which helps the stool to pass more easily through the intestine, and the voluminosity stimulates a bladder-emptying reflex.
It is true that the caffeine can help. However, coffee is a diuretic, which means it accelerates the discharge of fluid from the body and thus the stool becomes hard and its passage through the intestines becomes more difficult.
Enema and colon hydrotherapy may temporarily remove stool from the intestine but cannot permanently solve the problem of constipation. On the contrary, enema may cause constipation in elderly patients who often use it. Colon hydrotherapy, if performed unprofessionally, can damage the colon.
Depending on what type of laxative you use, its performance can occur after a few hours or couple of days. Most laxatives are intended for short-term use and can make the problem worse in the long run. For lasting results it is recommended that you take supplements based on fibers that will give weight to your stool and additional incentive to the bowel.
Elderly people often have a problem with constipation. The reason for this can be a chronic disease, poor diet, taking large quantities of medicines, physical inactivity.
Constipation, however, is also the most common digestive problem in all other age groups, and it especially often occurs during pregnancy and after childbirth.
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