Dynamic Homeopath Blog

Constipation means infrequent movement of the bowel or difficult passage of stools that can persist for a few days to a week. Getting constipation occasionally is common and you can get it due to the wrong food or a symptom of another illness. Meanwhile, chronic constipation can cause people to strain excessively to have a bowel movement.  

What are the symptoms of constipation?

Every person has different bowel habits. Some people go 2-3 times a day whereas some may go once every two days. But when a person is constipated, he may face changes in his bowel movements with other symptoms like:

1. Less than 3 stools a week
2. Staining to have bowel movements
3. Feels like you can’t completely empty the stool
4. Feels like a blockage in the rectum that is preventing bowel movement

This condition is considered chronic when the person is feeling the same condition for more than three months. There are a few other symptoms that shouldn’t be neglected such as:

1. Bleeding from rectum
2. Pain in the lower back
3. Blood in your stool
4. Vomiting
5. Feeling like gas is trapped
6. Abdominal pain
7. Fever
8. Weight loss

If you get any of these symptoms then you should seek medical help immediately.

What are the causes of constipation?

The main job of your colon is to absorb the water from residual food while passing through the digestive system. After absorbing the water, a stool is created. The colon muscle pushes the waste out through the rectum. When the stool remains in the colon for a long time, it becomes difficult to pass. This problem usually occurs due to poor diet. To keep your stool in good condition, you need to eat more fiber and drink an adequate amount of water. Another factor that causes constipation is stress. If a person is going through stress, it slows muscle contractions of color and may lead to constipation issues.

Common causes of constipation are:

1. Poor fiber diet
2. Dehydration
3. Travel or any change in routine
4. Pregnancy
5. Medications like antacids, etc
6. Age

Underlying health conditions

You can also get constipation due to some health conditions like:

1. Stroke
2. Parkinson’s disease
3. Diabetes
4. Any problem in the colon or rectum such as IBS, intestinal obstruction, etc
5. Overuse of laxatives
6. Hormonal problems like an underactive thyroid gland

What are the risk factors for constipation?

There are a few factors that increase the chances of getting constipation:

1. Being a woman
2. Dehydrated
3. Eating a diet with low fiber
4. Poor physical activity 
5. Having a mental condition like depression or stress
6. Taking medicines like opioids, sedatives, etc.

Complications due to constipation

You can face some complications due to constipation such as:

1. Ton skin of the anus. Large or hard stools can cause small tears in the anus.
2. Hemorrhoids. Straining to get bowel movement often swells the veins around the anus. 
3. Fecal impaction
4. Rectal prolapse. 

Treatment and relief options for constipation

OTC medications

You can get OTC medication from any drug store to treat constipation. You can use OTC like fiber supplements, stool softeners, osmotic agents, lubricants, stimulants, etc to get relief from constipation.

Prescribed medications

If OTC medications are not helping in constipation then you need a prescription from a healthcare giver. Your doctor may prescribe certain medications like lubiprostone that increases fluid levels in the intestine. Pecanatide can increase bowel movements. Doctors may suggest prucalopride that can help the colon move the stool along.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy is known as one of the best and safest medications for constipation. With homeopathic remedy constipation, you can treat your condition and get better relief. Your homeopathy will ask you questions about diet, lifestyles, mental condition, etc, and then prescribe the medicines. It is a dynamic type of medication that is fully safe. Your homeopath may prescribe medicines for a few weeks or months. If you take these medicines correctly, your constipation problem may not reappear for a long time. 

Manage your stress

If you are getting constipation due to stress then you have to work on it. Taking OTC medicines won’t be helpful until you treat the mental condition. You can look for psychotherapy to manage stress. At home, you can try things like listening to good music, aromatherapy, etc for stress management. Once your mental condition is managed, constipation will be automatically treated.

Home remedies to treat constipation

Drink more water

The once common cause behind constipation is dehydration. If you are dehydrated, getting stool becomes difficult. To prevent constipation, you should drink enough water. Keep your body hydrated. When you are constipated, drinking carbonated water may provide relief. It rehydrates the stool and helps in moving again. Few pieces of research show that sparkling water is more beneficial than tap water in dealing with constipation. Meanwhile, drinking carbonated drinks like sugary soda or beverages can cause other harmful health issues.

Add fiber to your diet

The best way to treat constipation naturally is by increasing fiber in your diet. More intake of fiber diet means an increase in bowel movements which makes it easier to pass stool. In a review, about 77% of patients with chronic constipation get better relief with fiber supplements. Meanwhile, few studies show that an increase in fiber intake can make the condition worse. It may improve bowel movement but can cause other issues like stool consistency, bloating, pain, and gas. There are two types of dietary fibers: insoluble fibers and soluble fibers. Eating soluble fibers softens the stool and improves consistency meanwhile insoluble fibers help the stool to pass quickly.  

Increase physical exercise

Many pieces of research show that increasing exercise can improve various symptoms of constipation. Keeping your physical movements limited can increase the risk of constipation. When you do good physical exercises, it does not increase the number of times you go to the washroom. But it will reduce the symptoms of constipation. 

Drink caffeinated coffee

When you consume coffee, you often get the urge to use the bathroom. Your coffee stimulates the muscles in the digestive system and increases bowel movement. When you are feeling constipated, you can get a cup of caffeinated coffee to get relief. However, drinking a lot of coffee can cause other health conditions.