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A Constipating Subject: Constipation
Constipation is difficulty in passing stools. Stools are hard and dry. Infrequent passage of hard stools are also a condition of constipation. Bowel movements occur less than three times per week. In some rare cases, a person may have a stool every week, but it is not hard and/or dry. This person is not constipated.
One third of the population is constipated. This number is probably higher, as many people do not complain, but manage to ‘bungle along’, self-treating via old wife tales, or current over the counter medications. Almost 6 million Americans seek hospital treatment due to constipation, and costs of physician care, over the counter medications, and prescriptions are significant.
If the above condition occurs longer than 3 months, the person has chronic constipation.
There is no truth that someone who is constipated is building up toxins in their system.
In the absence of intestinal disease, constipation is usually caused by lack of fiber in the diet. Increasing starches which are high in fiber, and eating more fruits and vegetables should restore order to the intestinal tract. It is recommended that people get at least 25 grams of fiber in their diet daily. This recommendation is frequently not met. However, sometimes a person does obtain enough fiber, and could actually exacerbate their constipation by increasing fiber even further. In some people, increasing fiber past a certain level can even result in an obstruction or fecal impaction.
A second recommendation that is not frequently met is increasing one’s water intake. Eight or more glasses of water a day will decrease constipation. But once again, considering the huge amounts of water exchanges which occur in the intestines daily, only people who are dehydrated are probably helped by increasing their water intake.
Third, a variety of over-the-counter and prescription medications available in the United States were reviewed by the American Gastroenterology Association, which made recommendations for use based on the quality of the evidence. For many agents, such as calcium polycarbophil, methylcellulose (Citrucel), bran, magnesium hydroxide (Milk of Magnesia), stool softeners, and stimulant laxatives, they concluded that there was insufficient evidence to make a recommendation. Zelnorm, a well known prescription medication, has been effective in managing constipation. Zelnorm is a pro-motility drug, as it normalizes movement in the GI tract. However, Zelnorm has other adverse effects and therefore the FDA has limited its use.
The one imperative often overlooked is exercise. This maxim holds true in particular, with elderly people. Therefore, this factor should receive a higher importance in the aging population.
Consensus does exist that constipation impacts the quality of life, and as such, needs to be reviewed with one’s practitioner to rule out possible diseases, and initiate the most optimum therapy possible.
One third of the population is constipated. This number is probably higher, as many people do not complain, but manage to ‘bungle along’, self-treating via old wife tales, or current over the counter medications. Almost 6 million Americans seek hospital treatment due to constipation, and costs of physician care, over the counter medications, and prescriptions are significant.
If the above condition occurs longer than 3 months, the person has chronic constipation.
There is no truth that someone who is constipated is building up toxins in their system.
In the absence of intestinal disease, constipation is usually caused by lack of fiber in the diet. Increasing starches which are high in fiber, and eating more fruits and vegetables should restore order to the intestinal tract. It is recommended that people get at least 25 grams of fiber in their diet daily. This recommendation is frequently not met. However, sometimes a person does obtain enough fiber, and could actually exacerbate their constipation by increasing fiber even further. In some people, increasing fiber past a certain level can even result in an obstruction or fecal impaction.
A second recommendation that is not frequently met is increasing one’s water intake. Eight or more glasses of water a day will decrease constipation. But once again, considering the huge amounts of water exchanges which occur in the intestines daily, only people who are dehydrated are probably helped by increasing their water intake.
Third, a variety of over-the-counter and prescription medications available in the United States were reviewed by the American Gastroenterology Association, which made recommendations for use based on the quality of the evidence. For many agents, such as calcium polycarbophil, methylcellulose (Citrucel), bran, magnesium hydroxide (Milk of Magnesia), stool softeners, and stimulant laxatives, they concluded that there was insufficient evidence to make a recommendation. Zelnorm, a well known prescription medication, has been effective in managing constipation. Zelnorm is a pro-motility drug, as it normalizes movement in the GI tract. However, Zelnorm has other adverse effects and therefore the FDA has limited its use.
The one imperative often overlooked is exercise. This maxim holds true in particular, with elderly people. Therefore, this factor should receive a higher importance in the aging population.
Consensus does exist that constipation impacts the quality of life, and as such, needs to be reviewed with one’s practitioner to rule out possible diseases, and initiate the most optimum therapy possible.
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