How to Stop Chronic Constipation
For many people worldwide, many suffer from chronic constipation. A condition in which the digestive system in the body produces hard feces and people are unable to have normal bowel movements and difficult to expel (defacation) from the body. This causes extreme pain and can impact fecal and can lead to bowel obstruction.
So, it’s one thing for people to have problems with bowel movements and obstruction but people can suffer from obstipation which is when severe constipation prevents the passage of both stools and gas and thus causing even more pain.
What Causes Constipation?
Constipation happens when the colon absorbs too much water from the food. Food flows through the digestive tract slowly and the colon which is known to absorb the water and salt from foods, absorbs too much.
But as for what may have triggered it, researchers believe it can be changes in dietary and exercise habits, the use of laxatives or medications.
Symptoms of Constipation
The primary symptom is having difficult to pass any bowel movement. It’s so painful that people want to avoid having to have any bowel movement and thus hemorrhoids can happen. The abdomen can go through major cramping and may lead to vomiting, tender abdomen, paradoxical diarrhea and excessive pain.
How to Stop Chronic Constipation
Fortunately, constipation is easier to prevent than to treat. The most inexpensive and safest way to prevent it is through eating more fruits and vegetables full of fiber. Fiber is known to help constipation but to also produce bulkier and softer stools that are easier to pass. Here is a list of foods that are full of fiber:
- Black Beans/Lentils
- Lima Beans
- Baked Beans
- Peas
- Brussel Sprouts
- Baked Potato with skin
- Cooked Split Peas
- Broccoli
- Raspberries
- Prunes
- Whole grain pasta
- Strawberries
- Avocado
- Pears
- Oat Bran Muffin
- Oat Bran/Bran Flakes
- Oatmeal
- Whole Wheat Bread
- Apples (with skin)
- Carrots (with skin)
- Barley
- Kidney Beans
- Corn
Remember that fiber is also effective in cleaning the colon from toxic waste and even dry feces that can be build up and stuck on the walls of intestines. Also, fiber is known to effectively lower cholesterol and lower the risk of heart disease.
Again, eat foods full of fiber is not expensive and they are quite safe. You can also take fiber supplements at your local department or health store such as psyllium husk tablets or powders. These insoluble forms of fiber absorbs water but it helps clean the colon but the effectiveness of fiber comes down to also drinking a lot of water.
Remember, the colon absorbs the water and the problem with constipation is that the colon absorbs it, to make sure that the fiber works effectively in your body, drink up to 8-10 glasses of water a day. This is very important!
Of course, any lifestyle adjustment is easier said than done but if you want to stay free from the pain of constipation or the cramping, definitely start incorporating fiber into your daily diet.
If your pain is excruciating, definitely contact your physician immediately.
