Bowel Disorders - Constipation: Symptoms, Causes, Cures

Constipation Symptoms

Coated tongue, foul breath, headache, depression, loss of appetite, dizziness, dark circles under the eyes, nausea, pimples on the face, ulcer in the mouth, constant fullness in the abdomen, diarrhea alternating with constipation, varicose veins, pain in the lumbar region, acidity, heart burn, and insomnia.

Bowel Retraining Program

1. Eat a diet high in roughage, such as bran cereals and leafy vegetables.
2. Drink six ounces of prune or apricot juice each morning.
3. Eat two large servings of stewed fruit each day.
4. Take one heaping tablespoon of a psyllium-based bulking agent twice a day.
5. Eat a normal breakfast.
6. Set aside 15 minutes after breakfast to sit on the toilet, but do not strain to have a bowel movement.
7. If you do not have a bowel movement by the third day, use an enema and repeat the above steps.
8. Do not use laxatives. If the above measures do not relieve constipation, nutritional laxatives should be considered. There are many kinds of laxatives, but using peristaltic-stimulating laxatives, which also provide health benefits, is the safest choice.

Causes of Constipation

For the most part, doctors usually consider the following to be the usual causes of constipation:

• Lack of exercise. Constipation has been shown to be related to inactivity. Abdominal and intestinal muscles work together to move the bowels. Weak abdominal muscles can contribute to weak bowel movements.
• Some medications. Some pain medications, especially narcotics, can cause constipation, as can some antidepressants, iron supplements, and calcium supplements. Other medications that can cause constipation include calcium channel blockers, psychotropic drugs, and anticholinergics. Inadequate thyroid hormone supplementation is also thought to cause constipation.
• Certain diseases. Tumors and some diseases may produce a rapid change in bowel movements, or even the cessation of all bowel movements.