Constipation

Constipation is a difficult, incomplete, and infrequent evacuation of dry, hardened feces from the bowels, where the stools are small and lumpy. The word originates from the Latin term, constipatio-"a crowding together." Chronic constipation is constipation lasting over six months and with three or less bowel movements each week. It is characterized by abdominal discomfort in the form of cramps and/or twinges, as well as bloating-a swelling of the intestinal tract that is caused by excessive gas formation following fermentation of ingested food particles.
What Causes Constipation?

Constipation is a sign that your digestive system is working too slowly and inefficiently. During healthy digestion, the muscles in the walls of your esophagus, small intestine, and large intestine contract and relax regularly. At the same time that contractions occur behind the food content, relaxation occurs in front so the food can easily move forward through the digestive system. As food moves through the intestines, the colon absorbs water while forming waste products, or stool. By the time stool reaches the rectum, it is solid because most of the water has been absorbed. When the colon absorbs too much water, the stools become hard and dry; the colon' muscles contract slowly and sluggishly, causing the stool to move through the colon too slowly. Here are some of the possible causes of constipation:

• Dehydration. A loss of fluid from the body can lead to constipation. Liquids like water and juice add fluid to the colon and bulk to stools, making bowel movements softer and easier to pass. This is why drinking 6-8 glasses of water per day is critical to proper colon function. Liquids that contain caffeine, like coffee and cola drinks, and alcohol have a dehydrating effect and should be avoided to prevent constipation.
• Laxative abuse is a common habit among older adults who are preoccupied with having a daily bowel movement. Frequent use and overuse of laxatives causes the colon to rely on them to bring on bowel movements. Over time, laxatives can damage nerve cells in the colon and interfere with the colon' natural ability to contract. For the same reason, regular use of enemas can also lead to a loss of normal bowel function.
• Low exercise activity level and a sedentary lifestyle can contribute to constipation. Exercise is important to strengthen the abdominal muscles and to help with the digestion process. Movement, particularly waist and leg movement, help to mix the food and waste products in your intestines, which aides in digestion.
• Changes in life routine, aging, and pregnancy can all cause constipation. During pregnancy, women may be constipated because of hormonal changes or because the uterus compresses the intestine. Aging may also affect bowel regularity, because old people' slower metabolism results in less intestinal activity and muscle tone. In addition, people often become constipated when traveling, because their normal diet and daily routine are disrupted.
• Medications can impede proper colon function; for example, pain medications (especially narcotics), antacids containing aluminum and calcium, blood pressure medications, antidepressants, iron supplements, and diuretics can affect nerve and muscle activity in the colon, and may also bind intestinal liquid. This results in slower passing of the stool.
• Low-fiber Diet. A diet low in fiber found in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains and high in fats found in cheese, eggs, and meats is the most common cause of constipation. 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 the hard and dry stools of constipation.
  
  The National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine, gives the following daily recommendations for adults: 38 grams for men and 25 grams for women 50 and younger; 30 grams for men and 21 grams for women 51 and older. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, Americans only eat an average of 5 to 14 grams of fiber daily; plus 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 processed foods low in fiber.

The first step towards relieving constipation is to clean the colon. Perhaps you have felt embarrassed to talk to your doctor about your constipation and hope it will go away on its own. Maybe you have tried over-the-counter fiber drinks and laxatives that contain artificial ingredients and sugar, only to find these treatments do not relieve your symptoms. The right treatment can mean you start feeling better.
Author: Jean Howe